A BLACKPOOL vicar asked his flock for a bit more in the collection bowl on Sunday - £85,000 more to be exact. And his prayers were answered.

The Rev Peter Nunn, vicar of All Saints Church, Anchorsholme, wanted the money to be pledged over the next four years to fund a new church hall.

The response was phenomenal, with more than £75,000 pledged.

Mr Nunn said: "That's tremendous. The money has been promised to us and is coming in in a variety of ways from envelopes, collections at services and even standing orders.

"We know we have more money coming in as some people always donate, but can't commit themselves over the next four years."

The hall, which would serve the local community, would double the size of the existing hall as well as provide a direct link to the church and a range of meeting rooms.

Work on the £250,000 project will now go ahead next summer.

More than £166,000 has already been promised to the ambitious scheme, including £60,000 from the Blackburn Diocese.

Mr Nunn said: "There has been a tremendous effort made by church members who have contributed nearly £40,000 in the past 11 months.

"In addition, the church has contributed £40,000 from parochial church council funds.

"We took a conscious decision not to ask for lottery money, but to raise most of the remaining money through a direct appeal."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.