A CHURCH in Farnworth has received a welcome Christmas boost.

St James' Church, St James Street, New Bury, has been given two grants totalling £3,500 after an outbreak of dry rot was uncovered.

The repair bill has been put at an estimated £10,000 and parishioners will have to raise the shortfall.

But the Rev Brian Hartley, team rector of New Bury, said the grants would go a long way to launching the repair project.

The Historic Churches Preservation Trust donated £2,000 and the Diocese of Manchester pledged £1,477.

Mr Hartley said: "The congregation will have to raise the balance but it is great news and we are grateful for the outside help.

"The Historic Churches Preservation Trust exists to help churches like St James' that are more than a hundred years old."

The outbreak of dry rot was uncovered in the chancel roof.

The church has been a repeated target for vandals.

Over the past two years, Mr Hartley said gravestones have been pushed over, gutters pulled off walls and roof-top security barbed wire stolen.

In the most recent attack in November, hooligans smashed a large stone cross after climbing up on to the roof and hurling it to the ground.

The cross was smashed and its fittings were also ripped from the roof. The attacks have left the church with repair bills running into thousands of pounds.

However, Mr Hartley said Bolton Stone Restoration has now vowed to repair the cross.

He added: "Their generosity is very much appreciated by the congregation."