A CHURCH about to undergo a comprehensive renovation programme narrowly escaped being wrecked by fire on Sunday evening.

The blaze - which kept firefighters at the scene for three hours - destroyed an outbuilding and damaged a lecture room used by Stourport Methodist Church, but left the church itself unscathed.

Although the cost of the damage has not yet been assessed property steward and treasurer Peter Green said he hoped the "upsetting" incident would not derail the £350,000 renovation scheme which is due to start in June.

Both the outbuilding and the lecture room are due to be refurbished under the scheme.

"At the moment it won't stop it going ahead, but it's difficult to know," he said.

Sub officer Mick Rowlands from Kidderminster fire station said the Parkes Passage site was difficult to access for the four engines that attended, but said the 18th and 19th century buildings stood up well.

Commenting on the fire's cause, he added: "Two leads are being investigated."