Fundraisers are still trying to secure a lease on an old chapel in their efforts to safeguard its future.

The Friends of Burnham Chapel had asked Maldon District Council if it would grant them a 99-year lease on the 19th century building.

With a long lease, they could try bidding for cash from more grant-making organisations.

The council’s finance and corporate services committee has offered a 30-year lease subject to the group becoming a registered charity.

Helen Elliott, chairman of the Friends, said they now hope to try to get 50 years.