A CHURCH in Great Lever has been saved from closure thanks to a number of grants.

The Grade II listed St Michaels Churchbuilding, which opened in 1851, has started to show signs of age, suffering from both dry and wet rot.

The west end bell cote is leaning badly and the east end gable is separating from the rest of the building.

But a number of organisations have now stepped in to help with the £172,000 cost of this stage of the restoration. The bulk of the money comes from English Heritage, through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which has awarded the church £113,000.

The Historic Churches Preservation Trust has approved £12,000 as a 'Cornerstone' grant, the Manchester Diocese has awarded £10,000 and the Onyx Environment Trust has pledged £5,000. The church hopes to raise the rest of the funds itself.

The Reverend Brian Hartley said: "We are grateful to all the grant making bodies. Without their assistance it is likely that in time the church would have closed with the cost of repairs being beyond the capacity of the congregation."

Parishioners are now meeting for Sunday worship in St Michaels CE Primary School, Green Lane, Great Lever, while work at the church is completed.