EXTRA support is being drummed up by a Christian-based sports group with ambitious plans to develop a former holiday activity centre for disabled children into a multi-purpose building to be used by the whole community.

Despite receiving a letter from the Manchester-based estate agents handling the sale of Barrows Green, which is owned by Barnardo's, to say its bid had been unsuccessful, the Kendal Open Tennis Club has now learned that the charity' s trustees are still considering their offer.

The table tennis club, which is owned by Philip and Janette Dixon, of Levens, has drawn up a business plan to raise the asking price of £500,000 through grants from the National Lottery, private individuals and from local trusts and Christian organisations.

They already have the support of Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins and now Tim Farron has thrown the weight of the Liberal Democrat team behind the table tennis club's ambitious bid to buy the building and will be circulating a petition calling on the trustees to back the Kendal Open Club bid.

" There is no doubt that it would be in keeping with the excellent work of Barnardo's in the past if Barrows Green were to stay in local hands and be put to community and charitable use," said Mr Farron.

"As well as the petition, I am also attempting to negotiate with the national trustees of Barnardo's to persuade them to give the Kendal Open Club a chance to make use of the wonderful Barrows Green House property."

The Kendal Open Club plan to throw open the doors of the historic house for use by the whole community and they want to press into service all the facilities which currently exist at Barrows Green such as the climbing wall, gym, the gardens and six acres of ground.

One of their main objectives is to work with charities like MIND and similar groups to offer volunteer job opportunities.

Building a swimming pool is a primary goal and outdoor and indoor activities will include croquet, putting, boules, zip-wire, children's playground, bowls, TV/video film facility, social areas, library and study areas.

Representatives of the Kendal Open Club also toured the building with local South Lakeland District and Kendal Town councillors and received their backing and have also got the support of other individuals, who have written letters to the trustees of Barnardo's.

Barnardo's asset manager Clifford Gregory said all bids had now gone before the trustees and a decision on the sale of the property was expected shortly.