Civic leaders are hoping to secure a £1.5million loan to breathe new life into Midsomer Norton.

If approved by the Secretary of State, the cash – plus grants that are being applied for and money has already been received – will be used to revamp the "iconic" town hall.

The grade II-listed building dates back to 1859 but years of tenants and modifications have meant that it has become a "rabbit warren" that is letting in water.

Its sensitive restoration is part of a wider plan to reintroduce markets to the town and give The Island a makeover that will also allow for outdoor events.

If all goes to plan, work could begin later this year.

Councillor Paul Myers, a former mayor of Midsomer Norton who has worked alongside the clerk and town councillors since the plans first proposed in 2014, said life would be breathed back into the town.

"It's fantastic to see the town hall transformation project taking such a positive step forward to ensure that this iconic building can better meet the needs of the vast number of community groups and residents who use it," he said.

"Thanks must go to all those who have worked so incredibly hard on this project."

If approved, the £1.5million loan will be repaid over 50 years with two annual payments of £24,452. The first two payments have already been budgeted for in 2022/23.

The total budget for the project is £2.2million. The town council is bidding for other funding and said if any of the applications are unsuccessful, the loan would be able to cover any shortfall.

The planning application for the work says: "The building has seen significant alterations since its completion with the complete loss of the original market hall and with it, the loss of a sense of the building's intended role at the centre of the surrounding community.

"The proposals offer a gentle and respectful programme of interventions that will unlock the 'lost' market hall, bringing it back into meaningful use and breathing new life into the entire building by providing easy access to all levels of the structure."

Setting out why the funding is needed, the agenda for the town council meeting on February 7 said: "Without change to the building, income and sustainability is limited. There is water coming into the building so we want to prevent further damage.

"The Citizens' Advice Bureau, a former user of the town hall, left its tenancy describing the building as a rabbit warren, presenting challenges for community use."

Plans for the building include opening up the ground floor and restoring the original features with exposed brickwork and beams, more glass for openness and to restore and reglaze the traditional windows.

Its carbon footprint will be reduced through the installation of underfloor heating using air source heat pumps and fan convector heaters behind oak panelling for high quality insulation.

There will also be a new entrance, reception area, offices and staircase to the first floor with a disabled unisex toilet still in place downstairs.