WORRIED volunteers at Weymouth's historic Nothe Fort have urged the council to bear the attraction's future in mind when considering the Pavilion redevelopment.

Publicity officer Brian Sneddon said that the fort was in a prime position for viewing the 2012 Olympic sailing events, so whatever is planned across the river mouth is of great concern to us'.

He said they didn't want the council to take the fort for granted and added: "Our concern is twofold. Firstly, we don't want the fort hidden behind a totally inappropriate building, nor do we want the sweep of the bay, the Olympic sailing courses and the Heritage Coast hidden from us.

"Secondly, the Nothe Fort has a 24-hour entertainment licence and potential residents of the high-rise apartments must be made aware of this because we are so successful at the moment that we intend to expand and noise will increase.

"We plan pop concerts and events such as Inside Out that attracted more than 1,000 people last summer, while our Victorian artillery re-enactment group also has a licence to fire canons and muskets which happens most weekends.

"We have had no complaints from local residents, but we don't want a situation to occur where apartment newcomers feel they have a right to dictate how we operate.

"With the uncertainty surrounding the Pavilion complex - and probably higher costs for hiring rooms - local organisations are looking to the Nothe Fort to provide facilities to enable them to continue their valuable work and we are holding confidential talks with them at the moment.

"We are trying within our financial constraints to provide an outdoor arena and function rooms for them, so we urge the council to look very carefully at redevelopment proposals and consider local folk more carefully."

Mr Sneddon said the annual cost of running the Nothe Fort was now about £250,000, the difference between visitor money and running costs being made up through time given by a team of almost 70 volunteers carrying out a multitude of tasks to ensure the safe running of the place.

He added: "We have never been so successful but we do need to keep visitor numbers up or generate income in some other way or we might be unable to continue. We are not asking for council help with the fort but we don't want any decision they may make on the Pavilion to hinder us.

"The council gave £100,000 towards our recent restoration which, over the 27 years the volunteers have been working, amounts to just over £10 per day. I am sure that the council realises what a good investment this is."