AN OXBRIDGE vicar is set to take up the reins at Leyland's oldest church which has recently been transformed after work costing £350,000.

The Reverend David Gibb will be officially sworn into his new role at St Andrew's Parish Church on Thursday, July 19, in a special ceremony conducted by the bishop of Blackburn The Rt Rev Alan Chesters.

Rev Gibb, currently the associate rector in the student city of Oxford, takes over the role after a 10-month gap following the departure of the Rev Keith Horsfall who moved onto pastures new.

In the absence of a permanent vicar dedicated retired priests in the parish and the curet Alan Byron have headed church services and meetings.

Rev Gibb's appointment at St Andrew's, in Church Road, follows a four-year improvement scheme to create a more modern building. Using mainly local craftspeople leaders at the church -- which serves a parish of 12,000 -- replaced the entrance hall, door, gallery, heating system, carpets, lighting and sound system.

And a new space under the tower houses a creche, toilet and security system while stone work has been cleaned and stained glass replaced.

The diocese contributed £30,000 to the four-year project and £7,000 came from central church funds.

Parishioners raised more than £163,000 in the first six weeks of a special visiting campaign and more than £330,000 within 18 months.

St Andrew's church warden David Adams said: "We're very lucky to be getting a man of the Rev Gibb's calibre and we're all excited. New ministers come with a fresh spirit and we expect great things from him."

As an ancient landmark St Andrew's is located about 100 yards from the cross in Southern Towngate and was built in 1050 AD although structural changes over the years have altered its original appearance. The nave was pulled down in 1816 to be replaced by a square, much larger building with a low-pitched roof. The tower rises to the height of 78ft and has 180 well-worn steps on a spiral staircase.

In 1874 the belfy floor was raised one story and the West doorway became the principal entrance with the chancel and roof rebuilt in 1956, making it similar to the original.

The church tower was re-pointed in the early 1980s and four 6ft pinnacles that stood at each corner of the tower were removed.

Mr Adams added: "The church is wonderful now -- we look forward to the future."