THE future of a Farnworth church looks set to be secure for the next decade after it received a £82,000 maintenance grant.

St John's Church in Church Street, Farnworth, will use the lottery cash for the final stage of a lengthy restoration project.

Parishioners have raised around £350,000 over three years to make interior and exterior improvements to the church through a combination of Heritage grants and fund-raising.

The latest grant will be used to reroof and repaint the church tower at the west end and repair two porch roofs. New window frames will also be fitted.

Church volunteer Derek Gee said: "It will be beautiful when it is finished. We do not know when work is going to start but it will be no later than October. The parishioners are absolutely delighted because a lot of the money has come from them.

Repair

"This is the fourth and final phase of the repair work and it should see the church safe for the next decade and beyond."

Church staff are now awaiting a pricing from four sets of contractors before work starts.

Vicar Felicity Shaw said: "The first grant was three years ago to do re-wiring, lighting and re-plastering inside the church. There was a lot of dry rot in the beams which had to be replaced.

"Parishioners have also worked really hard to raise money for new carpets and other items.

"This is very good news for the church and we look forward to completing all the work. It is our 175th anniversary this year and we are hoping the church will look special."

THE future of a Farnworth church looks secure for the next decade after it received a £82,000 maintenance grant.

St John's Church in Church Street, Farnworth, will use the lottery cash for the final stage of a lengthy restoration project.

Parishioners have raised around £350,000 over three years to make interior and exterior improvements to the church through a combination of Heritage grants and fund-raising.

The latest grant will be used to reroof and repaint the church tower at the west end and repair two porch roofs. New window frames will also be fitted.

Church volunteer Derek Gee said: "It will be beautiful when it is finished. We do not know when work is going to start but it will be no later than October. The parishioners are absolutely delighted because a lot of the money has come from them.

Repair

"This is the fourth and final phase of the repair work and it should see the church safe for the next decade and beyond."

Vicar Felicity Shaw said: "The first grant was three years ago to do rewiring, lighting and replastering inside the church. There was a lot of dry rot in the beams which had to be replaced.

"Parishioners have also worked really hard to raise money for new carpets and other items.

"This is very good news for the church and we look forward to completing all the work. It is our 175th anniversary this year and we are hoping the church will look special."