PERSHORE Baptist Church, the 17th century building at the heart of the town, is at the centre of an appeal for funds to pay for some vital repair work.

A total of £85,000 is needed to carry out the work on the Grade Two building in Broad Street.

So far the church has raised around £35,000 and some of the work, including redoing the upper and lower school rooms, has already been completed.

This was done by the congregation, including a group who raised £2,500 from an initial £130 ten pound notes.

But now the Minister, the Rev Mark Jennings, is hoping other people will help their cause.

He said: "Many within the town have come to know and love the church, an oft used and much loved building home not only to a welcoming congregation but also to various valued user groups and also used as a host venue for many popular community events during the year.

"With its age and history also come considerable demands on limited resources to help ensure its upkeep.

"As a church we are committed to ensuring that the building and internal facilities remain fit for purpose, available for a wider use and can be passed on to future generations in a good state of repair."

Priorities in the ongoing schedule of works include various external re-pointing and other remedial work, renewal of the main sanctuary and lighting with a desire to conserve energy and minimise environmental impact and carbon footprint, re-decoration the main sanctuary for the first time since 1986, and the renovation and care of the historic balcony pews.

While this is what they would like to be able aspects such as the redecorating are not included in the £85,000 budget.

"A big down side for us is the lighting is very bad," added Rev Jennings. "Actually not in the £85,000 is the desire to redecorate.

"Donations, however modest, to support the project would be most welcome."

Anyone wishing to donate can send cheques made payable to Pershore Baptist Church to The Manse, 2 Broad Street, Pershore, WR10 1AY.