AN appeal to save the striking timber frame of a historical village church has been boosted by a £10,000 grant.

Parishioners at St Peter's Church, Pirton, near Worcester, are celebrating after the National Churches Trust promised the money to help fund urgent repairs to the Grade I listed structure.

The appeal has already received a £63,000 fund from The Heritage Lottery Fund but the church needed to raise a further £40,000 for the tower which is deteriorating and is in need of significant repair and restoration.

Through events including a flower festival and donations, £23,000 has already been raised since the appeal was launched in August last year.

They also hope to include the repair of the clock within the fundraising activities to commemorate 100 years since the First World War.

Derek Skeys, chairman of the Tower Appeal, said: "While the prospect of being involved in the restoration of such a magnificent structure to secure it’s place for future generations to see and use is exciting the most rewarding part of the exercise so far is to witness the enthusiasm with which the local community, particularly the residents of Wadborough and Pirton, have come together to raise the necessary funds to save this iconic tower which houses so much local history.

"Together with tireless community fundraising we are significantly closer to our estimated total cost for the repair work.

"This together with the grants should mean that work will be able to start in the very near future."

Anyone wishing to make a donation or support the fundraising committee should contact Derek Skeys, Pirton Tower Appeal, 35 Worcester Road, Pirton, Worcestershire, WR8 9EF or call 01905 820044.

Please make cheques payable to Pirton Tower Appeal.