SUPPORTERS of North Baddesley's All Saints Church have received some good and bad news in their fight to build a £1million replacement place of worship.

Parish council chief Alan Dowden handed over £5,000 to the church's vicar Peter Salisbury this week. This will go towards funding the ambitious project which includes a new user- friendly building incorporating disabled access, community meeting room and a drop-in caf and equipment for the hall.

All the work is part of the church's 50th anniversary celebrations and the fundraising appeal was launched at last November's Remembrance Day service in the village.

Dave Foster, who is in charge of the building project, and was present at the cheque hand-over, said: "The new building is going to be about a third bigger than the present church and we hope to build it within two or three years."

But a plea to borough council chiefs for cash to help build the new church has led to a spat between Test Valley's Conservatives and Lib Dems.

North Baddesley parish leader, Alan Dowden, asked for £10,000 from the borough coffers at Test Valley's full meeting last week.

In response to the request, borough leader , Ian Carr, said: "While I applaud efforts of the community, I am staggered that the councillors have chosen this way to try to get a grant."

Making it known he did not approve of the way the request had been made Mr Carr added: "We have set procedures of how grants can be obtained in this council."

An angry Mr Dowden, himself a borough member, said: "It's a disgrace 2and the people of North Baddesley will think of it that way too."

The council voted 26 to 15 against giving cash towards the proposed new church.

All Saints' Church officials will now be asked to apply for a grant themselves.