REDDITCH parishioners could face the cold shoulder this winter unless their church can raise the £3,000 needed to pay for a new heating system.

St George's Church is launching an emergency appeal after a routine check of the building revealed the oil heating tank would soon become obsolete under new health and safety legislation.

Church spokesman Irene Yates said: "After the end of the summer the oil suppliers will not be able to deliver any more oil into our tank so we've got to replace the tank before the autumn or freeze through the autumn and the winter."

She added: "We need to replace the tanker with a double-bunded one and this will cost about £3,000."

Now, the church is appealing to residents to dig deep and donate to the fund.

Last month, the church ran an appeal through the Advertiser for St George's flags for its saint's day celebrations and was overwhelmed by the response.

Mrs Yates added: "We are really hoping Advertiser readers might be able to help us out again.

"For all we know there might be a tank supplier out there who has happy childhood memories of St George's and may want to help us out."

Anyone who can help with the Double Bund Fund is asked to call the St George's Road church on 63017.

Alternatively, donations can be sent to the Advertiser at Grosvenor House, Prospect Hill, Redditch B97 4DL. Envelopes must be marked St George's Appeal.