TIME has taken its toll on the ancient grounds of Bury Parish Church.

But vital funding for extensive restoration work has now been awarded.

And part of it will involve the replacement of the church's fence rails - taken down more than 50 years ago.

The conservation work is jointly funded by Bury Council and Pilsworth Environment Company, which have each awarded grants of £20,000.

Pilsworth Environment Company uses cash from the Landfill Tax credit scheme to benefit the community.

The "green grant" is funded by Terry Adams Ltd, part of the Haul Waste Group, which runs a large combined quarry and landfill operation at Pilsworth.

At the top of the church restoration list is cleaning and repairing the War Memorial in the Garden of Remembrance.

Other priorities include re-aligning headstone flags on pathways, creating a flagged seating area, replacing forms and fence rails, repairing walls and gate pillars and installing period litter bins.

Selected areas of the grounds will be landscaped and trees and shrubs will be tidied up - three unsafe trees have already been felled.

The Rev John Findon said: "The work is mainly restoration of existing facilities that have fallen into disrepair, as with the War Memorial in the Garden of Remembrance.

"The fence rails that were taken down during the Second World War will finally be replaced."

He added: "We expectd the work to be finished in time for spring, which will be a sight to enjoy for the parish congregation and passers-by alike."

Councillor John Byrne, a director of the Pilsworth Enviornment Company, has commented on the project.

He said: "The restoration work will greatly enhance the appearance of the church and its surroundings.

"It will also complement the major improvements made to the nearby castle site and stimulate greater interest in the history of the church and the town."

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