A 'STAR' attraction in the back hills of Largs is set to receive a windfall of cash to help towards its refurbishment.

An appeal for funding by the trustees for the Brisbane Observatory in Largs to begin work to prevent the collapse of the historic building has been answered

The observatory was built by local man Sir Thomas Brisbane, who catalogued over 7,000 stars in the night sky and even has a crater named after him on the moon.

But there is little to recognise him in his home town, despite a concerted effort to restore the observatory as a lasting legacy to Brisbane's achievements.

Prince Charles has said he would be willing to support the effort to save the historic structure after an international SOS was launched by trustees.

They have now revealed a funding package of £23,000 has been secured from Historic Environment Scotland, with another £4,000 from the Kelburn Wind Farm Trust. But with the total rebuilding project amounting to £70,000, campaigners say they still have work to do.

Trust director Martin Maiden said: "This funding is very important as it will help shore up the walls and ensure there is not any further structural deterioration.

"There is a lot of work still required at the site and we are looking at other funding avenues. We can perhaps get support from Heritage Lottery Scotland now that we have shown we have made this step forward.

"Our aim is to make it a wind and watertight building. There has been archaeological interest in the site too and we have had Simpson and Brown architects look at it and they are intrigued about some of the background to the original building as they don't understand its construction

"It was built over 200 years ago and the structure including the drainage, and some of the alcoves and fixings, are pretty unique. Unfortunately around 50 years ago the roof collapsed and the area was looted but we are hoping that some of the original fittings and flooring can be saved from the archaeological findings at the site. It has some of the originally cut stone and finished wall in the east side which can help as a template towards its restoration. "Ideally we want to get to a point we have the building restored with flooring and it is secure so that people can walk in and enjoy it."

Martin added: "Now that we are getting support from various funding organisations, and the community, it could help us even open the door to some funding from Australia, with Brisbane's links there."

The Brisbane Observatory trustees are also taking over the running of the Brisbane Ambassador following the demise of Largs Rotary, meaning that the trust will be involved in selecting a school pupil to promote the legacy of Sir Thomas Brisbane.

The Brisbane Observatory has lost some of its trustees this year following the sad passing of the Astronomer Royal of Scotland John Brown and Largs Historical Society's Jean Donaldson.

However, the current trustees total eight in number, including one of the last descendants of Sir Thomas Brisbane, Major Seymour Munro, as well as Deputy Lord Lieutenant Jane Evans, David Ennis and Dominic Mackay Senior.