WORSHIPPERS at an isolated church are feeling the power of nature as well as the Lord after a wind turbine was installed to bring electricity to the faithful.

Parishioners opted for the environmentally friendly power source after raising £115,000 for a refurbishment of St James Church in the Forest of Bowland.

The Rev Mark Russell-Smith, said: "Up to now we've had bottled gas heating, but this new source of power and heat will keep the building dry for better preservation. Not many churches can say they're powered by wind as well as the Holy Spirit!"

Work will begin in January to install the turbine -- which will be slightly higher than the church -- and is expected to be completed in June.

The church is in Tosside Parish in Stocks in Bowland and was built in 1937 from what was left of the former parish church which perished in flooding.

Mr Russell-Smith said: "It's a special church in many ways. It's set in Gisburn Forest within an area of outstanding natural beauty and the churchyard itself is the smallest designated biological heritage site in the country with 130 plant species, including orchids and a rare species of comfrey."

The church closes for worship from January to March, but after refurbishment it will be used all year round and will include display areas showing the history of the area and upland farming.

Lectures will also be given at the church.

Grants were provided by Defra, Lancashire Environment Fund, Forest of Bowland AONB Sustainable Development Fund, English Nature and the Heritage Lottery Fund.