SWANAGE Bandstand is definitely making a comeback – after supporters confirmed £171,000 has now been raised to save it.

The Friends of Swanage Bandstand (FOSB) say they've raised £81,000 themselves, to go alongside a £40,000 Government coastal revival fund grant and £50,000 pledged by Swanage Town Council.

FOSB founder Alan Houghton told the Echo: "This means the decision has been made, after a two year struggle to raise funds, for the complete restoration of the Swanage Bandstand.

"The total of £171,000 means the council has been able to award the contract for the full restoration of the bandstand to a specialist contractor, with the surrounding work being done by an experienced civil engineering firm."

But bandstand supporters have been urged not to rest on their laurels, as the total cost of the project – taking the resurfacing of adjacent pathways into consideration – is actually £207,000.

Alan said: "We are expecting the work to start late spring, but we are still raising funds."

In 2017 the town council announced the sunken bandstand may have to be filled in if no proposals for the site were forthcoming.

The roof of the Victorian structure had been declared unsound during refurbishment works in 2012, which had taken place to address significant storm damage it had suffered previously.

News the bandstand was facing its final curtain caused public outcry locally, and after more than 200 people attended a crisis meeting, Alan established FOSB.

n A sale of donated items to raise funds will take place at the bandstand on Saturday, April 20. A raffle will also be held by FOSB on the same day. And entertainer Karen Grant has also organised a concert in aid of the appeal, set for Emmanuel Church, 7.30pm, on Saturday, May 4.