A RENOVATION project to restore part of Burnley's oldest church is going ahead despite a funding crisis.

Work is currently taking place to replace the tower pinnacles and parapet of St Peter's Church, in Church Street.

The £50,000 project, due to be completed by the end of May, will see the existing pinnacles taken down and replaced with new stainless steel ones.

But the church, parts of which date back to the 16th century, is struggling to raise the cash after English Heritage rejected an application to help fund the project.

David Smith, secretary of St Peter's, is organising the project. He said the renovation work had to be carried out as the tower was too dangerous to leave so the church launched an appeal in an attempt to raise the money.

He said: "The church is really the beginning of Burnley and the town was built up around it.

"But the tower was in danger of toppling over. It had gone past the point of redemption.

"We couldn't leave it because if it fell to the ground and hit someone or a car we would be in a mess."

Mr Smith, said the church, which had to close between 1989 and 1992 because of structural problems, had managed to raise about £15,000 so far, but funding was beginning to dry up.

He added: "This is an expensive project with a lot of on-going construction costs, as you have to get in specialist stone masons and scaffolders. St Peter's is the parish church of the town and it is used for many activities.

"If we don't raise the money we will have to borrow it from a bank, but how we will manage to pay the money back is a difficult thing to think about."

The Rector of St Peter's, Cannon Tom Bill, said he was pleased the project was going ahead and was confident the money would be raised. He added: "We are grateful for those who have helped raise money for the project so far.

"We do have a lot more money to raise, but I am sure we will get there."