VILLAGERS have got that sinking feeling about their local church - and need you to help put it right.

Residents are helping to raise enough money to stop the 300-year-old Tockholes United Reformed Church subsiding before their eyes.

Rev Eric Kirkham discovered his tiny church was in need of rapid repair work more than two years ago and immediately launched an appeal to raise £30,000.

The rescue bid, which has already attracted cash from the Historic Churches Preservation Trust, the Lloyd Trust, and the Manifold Trust, is now in its second phase of strengthening the ancient building.

Rev Kirkham said: "We have received contributions to cover around almost half of the work, but we still need to raise more than £16,000.

"We are hoping to re-publish copies of the church's history as a way of raising more money."

Their latest fund-raising event, A Night at the Opera, is to be held at the Woodlands United Reformed Church, in Cherry Tree, Blackburn, at 7.30pm on November 29. For more details call: 201705.

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