LOTTERY cash could be the only way to save a famous landmark, say Portland Town Council officials.

The historic Portland Bill obelisk, a Grade II-listed building, may be demolished unless £47,000 is raised to move it once someone takes over the ownership from Trinity House.

But Portland Town Council clerk Derek Wolfe says even if the council - who will discuss the issue at a meeting on Wednesday - decide to take it over and donate cash, a £30,000 shortfall would probably still remain.

The money is needed for the obelisk to be moved inland to prevent the risk of it falling into the sea.

The council was asked in October last year if they were prepared to take over the 158-year-old obelisk, built to warn ships of rocks.

Trinity House said they were unable to continue to fund the obelisk as it is no longer operational but is willing to pay £12,000 towards relocation costs.

In a report to council members Mr Wolfe says: "Even assuming the council is prepared to allocate a modest sum towards relocation costs, this would still leave a shortfall of up to £30,000 or thereabouts."

Mr Wolfe suggests the only realistic way of raising the money would be through a Heritage Lottery bid, but he warns that public donations would still be needed.

"Even funding from this source is likely to leave a residual funding gap, in which case perhaps contributions might be invited from members of the public," he says.

Earlier last year Trinity House announced plans to demolish the obelisk but uproar from residents forced it to withdraw the application.

But Trinity House says it would probably apply to demolish the obelisk if the cash is not found.

Howard Cooper of Trinty House has told the council that annual maintenance costs for the obelisk are minimal.

He told Mr Wolfe: "Assuming the council assumed responsibility for the obelisk, I'm sure some agreement could be reached for Trinity House to let a combined contract with the council meeting the cost of the obelisk."

Rowland Reynolds, of the Crown Estate, said it would probably donate money once the ownership issue is resolved.

"The obelisk is a very nostalgic place for some people and the Crown Estate would want to see a long-term solution in place before it committed itself to handing any money over," he said.