Artistic plan for historic chapel

The chapel missed out on a £3m prize

A dilapidated historic chapel in Stoke-on-Trent which failed to win a TV makeover competition could be turned into an arts venue.

The Bethesda Chapel in Hanley - which lost out in a public vote for a £3m prize in BBC Two's Restoration show - has been closed for 20 years.

The chapel has already attracted £1m in pledges to restore the building.

A team of consultants say the chapel could host arts performances as well as company meetings.

The chapel's owners, the Historic Chapels Trust, commissioned the firm of consultants to come up with practical suggestions for its future use.

The trust's managing director, Adrian Malpass, said apart from having to raise more than £1m there was still a lot to do before the 184-year-old building was in use again.