TWO pensioners saved their parish church from burning to the ground after a passer-by spotted a fire in the doorway of the 150-year-old building.

The two men tackled the blaze, started by vandals, and managed to stop the flames from spreading to the main part of St Mary and All Saints Church, Goodshaw in Rossendale.

The vicar, the Rev John Armes, said Alan Ross and Clifford Heywood, who both live nearby, saved the church from destruction.

But the church is counting the cost of the arson attack. The bill to repair the damage could come to well over £1,000.

The fire was spotted shortly after noon on Tuesday. Flammable liquid was used to start the blaze in the church doorway. Most of the oak pannelled doors were destroyed before the blaze was noticed by George Perry of Crawshawbooth.

He raised the alarm and the Mr Ross and Mr Heywood, who live at Harvey Longworth Court, nearby sheltered accommodation, put out the fire.

Mr Armes said: "There is a lot of wooden panelling and a lowered ceiling in the back of the church. If the flames had spread from the porch then I am sure the whole building would have been destroyed."

Mr Armes added: "A few years ago we had a break-in at the church but we have never had anything like this before.

"I have no idea why anyone would want to do something like this.

"The consequences could have been very serious but, thankfully, the fire was spotted in time."

Rawtenstall fire brigade was called and made sure the fire was properly extinguished. A spray cannister, believed to contain glue, was found at the scene.

Details of the incident have been passed on to the police.

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