A PLUCKY vicar is about to undertake a daredevil stunt to help straighten his church's leaning tower.

The Rev Steve Cooper is gearing up to abseil down the Victorian tower at St James's Church, Altham, wearing his cassock and dog collar to kick off a big fund-raising appeal.

Mr Cooper will descend the 35ft tower after morning service on Sunday and has trained with an instructor. He said: "It should be great fun. You just lean over backwards and walk down the wall."

He is hoping for plenty of sponsors from his two linked parishes, which include the three churches of St James', Altham, All Saints', Clayton-le-Moors, and St James' Mission, Clayton-le-Moors.

He added: "I hope people will support this attempt to keep one of the oldest Christian churches in this part of Lancashire alive and active."

About £35,000 is needed to help the leaning tower and stop it sinking and pulling away from the church, which dates from Norman times.

Fund-raisers are hoping to receive cash from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and other charities, but the bulk of it will be raised by the parish.

A concert in aid of the Altham Tower Appeal will be held at St John's Church, Read, on Monday May 18, at 7.30pm.

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