PARISHIONERS are battling to stop the rot setting in at St George's in Unsworth.

They've raised £28,000 in just twelve months to restore the 153-year-old church to its former glory.

But with even more work than expected needing to be done, they are now taking their fund-raising appeal out to the wider community in a bid to bring in another £40,000 by St George's Day in 1998.

Church minister, Canon Ralph Mallinson launched the £60,000 appeal exactly one year ago, with an initial target to reach £10,000 by April 23 this year.

"We're extremely pleased with the response so far," he said.

"We've completed the first stage of the dry rot work on the roof and repaired some of the wet rot.

"But we still need £40,000 to complete the remainder of the roof."

Mr Mallinson added: "We're also hoping to have enough money to re-roof and chapter house, the annexe next to the church, which needs doing sooner rather than later."

So far the appeal had been limited to regular churchgoers, but now people with past connections to St George's would be asked to contribute.

"These would include people who were married or had their children christened here, and relatives of those buried here."

Mr Mallinson said the octagonal chapter house was open to hire for meetings and events, so its re-roofing would benefit the wider community.

He asks anyone who can help to contact him at the church.

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