The group behind an ambitious vision to create a sports centre and other facilities on a former industrial site is waiting to hear whether an application to transform a former shop at the harbour is successful.

More than 100 letters of support have been received since the application was lodged with Fife Council in May, with just two letters of objection from other tenants in the building.

The premises, which are on the corner of Tay Street and Broad Street, had been run as a tea room for over 10 years before closing some four years ago.

They are now set to be taken over by members of Tayport Community Trust, a voluntary organisation, who want to re-open the café for the use of local people as well as to help boost tourism.

They say that neighbours' concerns about cooking smells would be addressed by limiting food to simple dishes such as soup and baked potatoes.

The organisation took on community development trust status last year in order to strengthen its chances of attracting funding.

If the application for change of use is approved, funds will have to be raised to refit the shop.

Meanwhile, the trust is currently preparing a feasibility study which will be put before Fife Council in September in the next step towards regenerating the old Abertay Works in Shanwell Road.

Facilities would include a community and sports centre; tourism facilities — including accommodation and a visitor centre — a restaurant; office and studio space and facilities for education, training, volunteering and work experience.

Trust chair Tony Gowland said: "We have had tremendous support from local people for our plans, which shows there is a real enthusiasm for what we are trying to do.

"More than 60 people joined the trust following a public information event held earlier this year and our application for the café attracted 113 letters of support, which is unprecedented.

"There is no café in Tayport, but the need is not just for a café as such, but also as a drop-in centre where people can meet."