IMPROVEMENTS to Fladbury Village Church, near Evesham, may be completed by the end of the year as donations to the appeal have reached about £53,000.

The Fladbury Church Amenity Appeal needs about £70,000 for the works, but with current pledges and outstanding grants the committee have called for construction to begin.

The work, which will upgrade existing kitchenette and toilet facilities as well as create a new ramp for access for the disabled, will start when a builder has been found.

At an open evening at the church people were able to check out the plans and a cheque for £507 towards the appeal was presented by the Fladbury Players, who raised the money at the highly successful Fladbury’s Got Talent event.

Bill North, chairman of the appeal, said: “Immediately after our open evening we decided to call for tenders and our hope is that the work can be completed by the end of the year.

“The positive mood of the evening gave us the confidence to go ahead, so it is all go from here.”