BURNHAM'S 150-year-old jetty has been given a major boost to fund repairs. Burnham and Highbridge Town Council unanimously voted

BURNHAM'S 150-year-old jetty has been given a major boost to fund repairs. Burnham and Highbridge Town Council unanimously voted to re-classify the structure and put it on the Conservation Area list as a building. The move means that the jetty is now eligible for much needed funding for repairs from English Heritage. Councillor Neville Jones, who campaigned for the move, said: "I put it to the Executive to get the jetty put on the Conservation Area list but they refused. When I put it to full council it was unanimously voted for. "Having the jetty on the list means it is now protected which ultimately means we can get funds to get it restored. The jetty is a wonderful feature in Burnham but some of the rivets holding it in place are rusty. It needs a lot of work and I would hate to have to guess how much."The structure was built in 1855 by George Reed to encourage trading and visitors from European countries. The first passengers landed at the jetty in 1857 on the Iron Duke from Cardiff, and from Burnham, many Welsh travellers went on to France and Spain. Cllr Jones said: "Burnham was once the gateway to the continent but since Sedgemoor District Council took over it in 1974 it has deteriorated. In 1983, 30ft was removed because it was uneven and with the recent storms the jetty has become even more of a wreck. "I would like to see it restored back to its former glory."The jetty's restoration will be discussed at the next town council meeting in August and an application for funds is expected to be submitted later this year or in early 2008.