TWO parishioners climbed towards the heavens, 150 feet up their church spire, to raise funds for an £80,000 restoration.

Church warden Cynthia Metcalfe and John Hicks scaled the spire at St Thomas The Apostle Church, Helmshore, and are hoping to bring in more than £1,000 in sponsorship.

They used a steeplejack's ladder to climb the spire, recently re-pointed as part of the restoration.

John, 46, an electrical engineer and vice- chairman of the fundraising appeal, said: "The nature of the challenge can only be appreciated when people see the height of the spire.

"It was the first time either myself, or Cynthia, has ever done anything like this, so we were both rather glad when we reached the top."

Their contribution will take the church closer to the £80,000 total to restore the building to its former glory.

The Helmshore Road church, built in 1852, is an example of Gothic revival architecture with an impressive broach spire the only one of its kind in the area forming a central landmark in the village.Flyers were delivered to all the houses in the parish when it was believed around £35,000 was required. However, church bosses later discovered the full extent of the work required after detailed designs and costings showed repairs to the spire and leaks inside the building would cost £80,000.

More events are planned to help reach the total.

John said: "We have an organ concert planned for June, when the renowned international concert organist Gordon Stewart will perform on the church's pipe organ."