Pensioners living in Wantage's crumbling almshouses could be waiting months for their homes to be repaired unless thousands of pounds are found soon.

The future of the Mill Street almshouses remains under threat six months after an appeal for £378,000 was launched to raise money to fix the eight grade II listed properties - some of which are 140 years old.

But the 13 campaigners - the Wantage Town Lands Governors - are confident funds will be found soon.

Rev Anthony Hogg said since the October 15 launch, nearly £30,000 has been raised.

He said: "It is not bad. We are not downhearted and it's onwards and upwards.

"Every time we get some money, we cheer.

"We are determined to pursue what we believe is a good cause but we know there are many calls on people's money."

He added: "The almshouses are part of our heritage."

Rev Hogg said the priority was to stabilise a high-retaining wall at the back of the almshouses currently supported by scaffolding.

Kitchens and bathrooms also need complete refurbishing with new wiring and damp-proofing to meet the governors standards.

He said: "We are hoping to start work on that when we have sufficient funds to go ahead. It may be that to do the work which is required we might have to look at taking out a loan and I suppose there is a sense of urgency now."

Mr Hogg said the buildings were not in a dangerous condition.

The money raised up to now has come from individual gifts and from a number of trusts.

Donations can be sent to Wantage and Town Lands Governors Appeal Treasurer, c/o Chapman, Worth, Goddard and Broadley, 6 Newbury Street, Wantage, Oxon OX12 8BS.