A PRESTON vicar who is terrified of heights is planning to camp out on a leaky church roof until his parishioners come up with £3,000 to repair it.

Father Graham Piper, of St Aidan's Church, Longworth Street, Bamber Bridge, who describes himself as "getting severe vertigo from standing on a thick carpet," has promised to stay on the rooftop from Thursday, July 26, until the cash is raised.

He will only be able to come down to earth to spend a penny and for emergency pastoral duties.

And South Ribble mayor, councillor Norman Crossley, has pledged to sleep under the stars for one night to show his support for the priest's good cause.

This is not the first time the game-for-a-laugh clergyman has carried out amazing stunts in order to raise church funds. He once cycled all the way to France to raise money and endured a 100-mile walk around Sussex to help raise cash for Chichester Cathedral.

'Ascension Day' -- Fr Graham's nickname for the stunt -- will require a good crowd to encourage him during his high rise stay at the church and he is praying for donations of rope ladders, whisky and hot water bottles incase the hot weather turns chilly.

Fr Graham said: "Hopefully I will not have to spend too many nights up there because I have faith in my parishioners and I'm hoping the readies will rush in.

"But I am willing to make the commitment because we need a new roof and a new PA system -- so committed that I am going to devise some sort of system to make sure that I don't fall off during the night -- someone has already given me a tent." He added: "I am very happy that Norman will be keeping me company on the Friday night. He is a very strong supporter of the church and enjoys camping."

And parishioners are urged to pray for more good weather this Saturday for the garden party on the church lawn, starting at 12.30pm, while Fr Graham gives a 'sermon on the mount' or, in this case, from the rooftop! If you'd like to see Fr Piper back in his pulpit by Sunday please make donations and pledges to the church by this Saturday.