A VICAR who is scared of heights will live on his leaky church roof until parishioners have raised enough money to fix it.

Father Graham Piper, the Vicar of St. Aidan's Church, Bamber Bridge, hopes to collect £3,000 on what has been dubbed 'Ascension Day Mark 2' on Thursday, July 26.

A scaffolding firm will set up a platform on the 20ft high apex roof for Father Piper to set up a tent.

He is not allowed to come down unless there is a pastoral emergency, or he has a call of nature.

On Saturday there will be a garden party and barbeque, with Father Piper giving a sermon from the roof.

He hopes this celebration will also mark the end of the challenge -- having roughed it on the roof for two nights.

If his parishioners fail to reach the target, Father Piper will extend his absence from his nearby Vicarage.

He said: "I don't want to do it and am not looking forward to it. I get severe vertigo standing on a thick carpet.

"I will be 15 to 20 feet high and that is enough for me.

"I'm a little bit concerned about the weather. It will be wonderful if it is sunny.

"I can't sit on the roof itself because it would be dangerous. I expect people will pop in for a chat, and I will be available for spiritual calls.

"I think it is important for people to realise that priests are willing to do fundraising, too, instead of leaving it to the parishioners.

"I have a great deal of faith that the congregation will raise the money. I've told them that if they want me back, they'll have to pay! "I suppose I'm following the tradition of the pillar saints like Simeon Stylites, but he was up there for 40 years and I don't want to follow his example."

Father Piper came up with the self-sacrificing idea six months ago when thinking of a unique way to raise money.

Now he has committed himself to completing the challenge and the Church wardens have set the rules.

Max Iddon and Ray Smith wrote in a joint statement: "He will be allowed to come down for calls of nature and pastoral emergencies, but otherwise he is to stay up there as long as it takes.

"If we want Father inside the church on Sunday, instead of on top of it, please give us your donations and pledges before 6pm on Saturday, so we can reach the target."