A SPECTACULAR light and sound show launched a £250,000 appeal to transform an historic city church into an arts centre.

St Swithun’s Church, in Worcester, hosted the impressive 'Son et lumiere' show in November, which featured thundering organ music and a colourful light display.

The Grade I-listed church, in Church Street, has fallen into disrepair in recent years with a leaking roof endangering the Tudor tower and interior.

The Churches Conservation Trust has launched an appeal to restore the building, turning it into a centre for music, arts and education.

But £250,000 must be raised before an application can be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a further £2 million to complete the project.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, of Worcestershire County Council, said: "We are delighted that the Churches Conservation Trust – a national charity – has chosen this church in our city as the focus of its national appeal.

"If the money is successfully raised for the restoration and repair of St Swithun’s, then Worcester will have a wonderful new space for arts, music and and meeting up that everyone can enjoy."

The Son et lumiere show marked the start of the appeal, which is led by the Friends of St Swithun's and the Churches Conservation Trust.

Nearly £350,000 has already been raised, but a total of £600,000 is needed before the HLF application can be made.

If enough money can be raised for the project, the funding bid will be made to the HLF in March next year.

The work would then begin in 2018, with the centre eventually opening in the spring of 2019.

It will provide the city with a concert and music venue and a centre for sound, art and heritage crafts education.

St Swithun’s has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust since 1977.

To donate to the appeal visit visitchurches.org.uk