FUNDS are rolling in to help resurrect a dilapidated old school that is used as a church hall.

The Jubilee School on Church Road is a grade two listed building and has been taken under the wing of St Peter's Church in Halliwell whose members want to bring it back to its former glory in time to celebrate the Millennium.

The building, constructed in 1810 and used as a school and church hall, was condemned as a school building by Whitehall and the local education authority in 1903.

Fund-raising for restoration began in 1997. So far nearly £400,000 has been raised and it is hoped the total will top £600,000 by the end of year -- leaving just £215,000 more to collect.

A church spokesman said: "The building followed a tradition in Halliwell which stretches back to the 1690s. Its history reflects the changing times, the growth in education, industry, culture and attitudes. The building is in such a bad state of decay the Parish Church Council and Rev Roger Oldfield decided to repair and extend it to celebrate the Millennium, but it involved raising massive amounts because it was a listed building and we couldn't knock it down.

"We are nearly at our total and it is an amazing good news story because people have given lump sums or entered covenants and other things to raise the money and we haven't got far to go now."

She added: "We are all looking forward to the completion of this Millennium project."

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