A TINY community near Droitwich Spa has united to save a unique landmark and place of worship.

A campaign has launched to save crumbling St James' Church at Oddingley, which is now around 800 years old.

More than £170,000 is urgently needed for vital repairs and Oddingley villagers are hoping people across Droitwich can help save the historic building from falling into complete disrepair and closure.

A committee of six has formed to raise the cash needed and a number of initiatives, such as jumble sales, a fete and a barn dance, are planning over the next 12 months to get the pennies rolling in. Collection tins have also been placed at local pubs.

Their campaign is titled SOUL - Save Oddingley's Unique Landmark and if bids to nation bodies prove fruitful - just £65,000 will need to be collected locally.

Improvements

Donations will fund new roof battens and help with replacing the suspended timber floor, overhauling the drainage system, replacing timbers on the porch and improvements to stonework.

Fundraiser and Oddingley resident Alan Macdonald said that the church is a popular venue for christenings, weddings, and a number of people are buried in its grounds.

"Our aim is too preserve this wonderful building," he told the Advertiser.

"It's a sad fact that we don't often truly appreciate what we have until it's threatened with removal.

"When something has been around for eight centuries, it's bound to feel like part of the scenery."

If you would like to support fundraising efforts, call Alan McDonald on 01905 795405.