A CAMPAIGN to raise £20,000 to ‘fix the fungus’ has been launched at a Blackburn church.

St Francis Church, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, has been plagued by dry rot for months.

Volunteers at the church have launched the Fix The Fungus appeal to raise the cash needed to fix the church.

And Blackburn MP Jack Straw has called on the community to help.

Mr Straw said: “I would encourage the community to help their parish church.

“There is no Government funding for this building and never has been.

“This building needs a little help and I do hope that Feniscliffe and Meadowhead are up to the challenge.”

Church warden Roy Parker said he was glad to have Mr Straw’s backing.

He said: “We are glad Mr Straw came out and said this is a place worth supporting.

“We were hoping he would come to a recent residents’ meeting but he couldn’t “So we sent him some pictures and his message was very encouraging.”

Mr Parker said the problem had been going on for some time.

He said: “We have had a scaffold up inside the church now since December 15.

“It is causing problems as it has restricted the use of our altar rail and one of the choir stalls.

“This isn’t just a church, it is a community centre.

“We have a church hall that is used for all sorts of events.

“And we get a lot of young people coming in on Wednesdays.”

Meadowhead Councillor Brian Gordon said: “It is very busy down there. A lot of people use it so it isn’t as if it is falling into disuse.

“They need to get all the groups who use the church together to publicise their appeal for funds as much as possible.”

The church has a regular congregation of more than 50 people, and leaflets have been created to be handed out to them.

To help the church in its appeal, contact church warden Roy Parker or Tony Duckworth on 01254 202930 or 202088.