A CAMPAIGN to restore a church threatened with closure has raised more than a fifth of the cash needed to renovate the building.

But despite the fund-raising efforts by members of the Church of St John's the Evangelist, Addison Street, Accrington, churchwarden Andy Shepherd said the threat of closure still hangs over the church unless a constant source of funding is found.

Since vicar Ian Robertson announced the threat at the beginning of the year, a special campaign has been running with the aim of raising £150,00 towards the building's restoration. The current tally is £36,000.

Church members are applying to the council to upgrade the status of the Grade Two listed building to Two Star, which would entitle them to Heritage Lottery funding. They are also applying for a £10,000 grant from the Historic Churches preservation trust.

The campaign has been nicknamed 3Rs, which stands for restoration, refreshment and relief. The campaigners hope to restore the building, provide refreshment by building a small kitchen and relief by installing toilets in the church.

The building houses a memorial chapel dedicated to the Accrington Pals battalion of the First World War, most whom lost their lives on the first day of the battle of the Somme in June 1916.

Mr Shepherd said: "We have raised £36,000 since the campaign started, but we are still threatened with closure because it costs money to keep the church going so saying the church is safe will be a long way off.

"Like so many churches, our income has fallen radically over recent years. Cash from the church collection has fallen from £47,000 a year to maybe half that amount over recent times.

He added: "But we would like to thank people for giving so generously to our campaign at the fund raising concerts, quiz nights and other events.

"In May, one lady gave us £1,000 and Accrington area council have also pledged to give us £6,000.

Rossendale Cornet player Phil Taylor, from the band Quintessential Brass, will be appearing at St John's on October 6 at 7.30pm to raise money for the campaign. Admission is free.