A CROWD gathered in amazement and cars ground to a halt in Padiham town centre on Saturday as they watched a teacher, two vicars and an organist dangle from the church tower to raise money.

The sponsored abseil at St Leonard's Church, in Church Street, turned into a real community event with people coming out of shops and pubs to watch the Reverend Mark Jones and his friends climb over the wall at the top of the tower and lower themselves down the side on a rope.

Mr Jones, from St Leonard's, was second to take the plunge after St Leonard's Primary School headteacher Julie Bradley.

He said: "I was absolutely terrified beforehand because it looked so much higher up looking down to the crowds than it did looking up. It was great to see Julie go down the side first because at least then I knew it could be done.

"Once I got over the ledge I was okay and I seemed to get to the ground quite quickly."

The abseil was organised to raise money towards the church's bell restoration appeal which currently stands at about £20,000.

Mr Jones said: "We are trying to restore the bells. All the fittings have worn out and need re-tuning.

"There were about eight of us with sponsorship forms so it would be nice to have raised about one or two thousand pounds. Our overall target is £40,000.

"A lot of people came out to watch as well so it was a nice day."

Headteacher Julie Bradley, who was first to brave the abseil, said: "It was very nerve-racking especially trying to go over the first bit because I couldn't see where to put my feet.

"All I was bothered about was slipping and ending up bursting my nose which would have been embarrassing. I had to go first or I would never have gone. It wasn't bravery at all.

"Everyone thought I was mad to do the abseil, but if anyone offers me a challenge I have to do it. I think I'm foolish rather than adventurous."

Others taking part include the Reverend Lawrence Laycock, from Worsthorne, St Leonard's organist 20-year-old Emma Wakerley, bell ringer 18-year-old Matthew Warburton, the church warden's son-in-law Jonathan Dilnot and St Leonard's classroom assistant Mark Mauloni.