A £250,000 appeal has been launched to save Tyldesley St George's Parish Church.

The money is needed for repairs and improvements to the building, which was consecrated in 1825, and fund raising has started in earnest.

Architects have drawn up a list of the work required which includes re-roofing, renewal of all guttering and drain pipes, the repair and rebuilding of parapets and pinnacles, resetting window arches, the repair of leaded glass windows and the possible replacement of roof timbers.

It also includes, among a long list of other necessary work, improving disabled access and installing new toilets.

Church warden Kevin Bracegirdle said: "Our church is attended by over 1,000 people a month and its future is our primary consideration when launching the appeal.

"To complete the repairs are not just important, they are vital to the survival of the church and the valuable service it provides."

The church has applied to English Heritage for a grant towards the cost and hopes to hear the result next year.

It has also applied to other organisations and will be applying to many more, but meanwhile parishioners are hard at work trying to raise many thousands of pounds within the church and community.

Several fund raising events have already included parish trips and bingo evenings and a recent Stars in Their Eyes charity concert at Tyldesley Conservative Club contributed over £900 to the fund

Limited edition signed prints of the church painted by a local artist, and limited to a 100 edition run, have been commissioned and are selling well at £15 each.

Packs of four cards depicting the inside of the church at Christmas are also on sale for £1.

The next event is a Christmas fair on November 26 in the Scout HQ, Shuttle Street, from 10am to 1pm. Admission is free.

In its lifetime the church has undergone numerous changes and repairs. In 1946 it was affected by mining subsidence when work had to be carried out to the east window and tower. In the late 1950s subsidence had cause so much damage to the east window that it had to be replaced and on March 5 1966 the church suffered major fire damage when over half the roof and part of the ceiling were destroyed. The sanctuary ceiling collapsed the following day. and during the restoration Sunday services were conducted in the school while weddings and baptisms took place in the west side of the building until work was completed the following year.

Since then several cosmetic enhancements have been made to the fabric of the church.

Kevin said: "There have been no major upheavals and for that we can be thankful.

"Next year will be a very busy year for the church and the number of fund raising activities will increase as we try to build up our funds. Anyone who would like to volunteer their help can contact me on 07729127453."