Midlothian Council has warned a Trust that it cannot rely on authority funds to help restore a derelict mansion in the area.

The Mavisbank Trust is applying to a number of organisations, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, for £5m funding to restore the historic 1720's Mavisbank house and gardens.

Previously, officials from Midlothian Council have provided the group with advice, but its own financial position has now resulted in a warning that the Trust should not assume the council can offer monetary support.

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The gap between the council's spending, and its income, is projected to be as much as £13.5m in years to come.

Councillors meeting in Dalkeith voted last week to send the warning message to the Trust.

In a statement, Councillor Russell Imrie said: "I am a long-standing supporter of the efforts being made by the Trust and I do want to see the house fully-restored, but given the current financial position of the council, regrettably we are unable to make any commitments to the funding of this project."

An amendment to a paper was passed by nine votes to eight at the meeting, and an excerpt of the amendment read: "Any financial contribution from the Council towards the restoration of Mavisbank House and grounds, in either capital or revenue finance, could only be considered alongside other priority needs and should not therefore be relied upon in relation to any future application for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund."

(JP/CD)