TV actor and presenter Tony Robinson has given his support to an appeal to help save Bristol's oldest building.

Robinson, famous for playing Baldrick in Blackadder and for appearing on Channel 4's archaeological programme Time Team, said the 12th-century St James Priory church was one of the city's most important treasures.

The church, located between the Horsefair and the city centre bus station, is a Grade I listed building and remains one of the most important examples of Norman architecture in the country.

Plans have recently been submitted to Bristol City Council to help return part of the building to the heart of the community by providing modern facilities, meeting rooms and a café with a piazza.

A £3.2-million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, which was awarded at the end of last year, will restore the main building but it is dependent on more being raised by the appeal.

Tony Robinson, 62, who lives in Bristol, said: "So often with buildings such as St James it's not until it is lost to history that we realise their importance and value.

"St James was integral to making Bristol the modern city it is now as the monks were also organised merchants who contributed to the commercial and cultural wealth of the region.

"Research has shown us they were pivotal in the running of the original Horse Fair, which became the main trading centre for Bristol and now houses Broadmead and the new bustling centre of Cabot Circus.

"I can't help but think it would be sad if in years to come a future version of Time Team was to discover the remnants of this architectural beauty and find it had been left to ruin."