It's been the victim of vandals and suffered from a dire lack of investment over the years.

But members of a church and a community association are trying to breathe new life into a neglected community centre in Fishponds.

Volunteers have recently carried out work to improve Oldbury Court Community Centre, in Delabere Avenue.

Now residents in nearby homes are being asked what they would like to see the venue used for in the future.

Members of Fishponds Baptist Church have joined forces with Oldbury Court Community Association and Bristol city councillors to carry out a door-to-door survey this month.

They want to find out what residents want the city council-owned centre to be used for so new clubs and groups can be formed.

The volunteers also plan to use the responses from residents to support applications for grants, which could be spent on further improvements to the 1950s-built venue.

In the past few months, members of Fishponds Baptist Church have decorated the main hall and other rooms and installed new toilets.

Lesley Alexander, Bristol city councillor for Frome Vale, said: "The community centre has been limping on for seven or eight years but the council won't put any money into it.

"We want to make a good go of it now and luckily the church is helping us.

"It's difficult because last year some vandals set fire to the back of the centre and windows on it are regularly broken.

"There are about six different groups using the centre now but it used to be very popular and hosted film shows, gardening clubs and darts.

"It could be made into a nice little place. We need to get more people in."

An audit by Bristol City Council in 2007 found use of the facility was dwindling and the authority even waived rent on the centre to help the Oldbury Court Community Association.

Rev David Plumridge, of Fishponds Baptist Church, said: "It's quite a substantial community asset. Now we are in a position to talk seriously about keeping the place open."