A centre which will "create a new heart" for a vandal-hit village is set to be built with the backing of Prince Charles.

The Cottingley Cornerstone Centre will provide a large multi-use hall, meetings rooms, computer suite, community cafe, advice centre and facilities for residents on the site of St Michael and All Angels Church.

The existing church, built in 1968, is due to be pulled down because of structural problems and a new church will be built as part of the community centre, which will be modelled on the Thornbury Centre in Bradford.

A statement of support from Prince Charles - who told of his "deep upset" after vandals desecrated a war memorial he rededicated last September - will be read out at the project's unveiling ceremony on Monday.

In the latest attack vandals ripped a figure of Jesus from a wooden cross, tore off its arm and dumped it in mud outside the church.

The Prince of Wales sent a message of support to the village and local vicar the Reverend Sue Pinnington who discovered the damaged 1914-18 War memorial.

Today she said the project would unite the Cottingley community. "From out of the heartbreak of vandalism and destruction we seek to create a new heart in the heart of Cottingley, working with the whole community," she added. "When The Prince of Wales rededicated the war memorial he talked about finding silver linings, and we're determined to turn the negative into good.

"Despite the repeated vandalism, the community remains resilient and upbeat. Christ is still very much at the heart of the community."

Funding for the project is to be sought from church sources, the National Lottery and other interested organisations which could become partners. The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton, the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, John Lyles, and the Archdeacon of Bradford, the Venerable Guy Wilkinson, will also attend Monday's launch at the church at 10am.

Two documents will be signed at the launch including a covenant between St Michael's Church and Bradford Council to work together for the regeneration of the Littlelands site.

The second document, which will be signed by representatives of the Cottingley community, is a "commitment to work together as a community serving the people of Cottingley".

"The Prince's Foundation will be involved in the design and planning process after Easter," said Rev Pinnington.