A church in Worcester has been awarded £3,000 from the parish council towards its renovation programme after arguing that it provides a service to the whole community.

St Nicholas Church, off Hastings Drive, Warndon Villages, needs £12,000 for improvements to the car park, lighting, paths, seating in the churchyard and redecoration inside and out.

As reported in your Worcester News in December 2007, Rev David Ryan asked Warndon Parish Council for a contribution towards the cost but was told he needed to prove his church offered a service to the entire community, not just churchgoers.

At the parish meeting this week Mr Ryan told councillors about the work the church does in the community.

He said: "Each year there are 10 weddings, 44 baptisms and two funerals. That is at least 1,000 people who come for those events. It is a well-used area."

The barn community hall alongside is also host to a variety of groups including Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, pre-school groups and the gardening club.

Coun John Buckley said the parish should support the church. He said: "I feel we should be assisting the church and showing we see it as part of the family."

Part of the church's proposal is to provide lighting on the path as there are currently no street lights. Coun Dawn Merriman said this was an issue of safety.

She said: "During the winter months the lighting is not adequate. Perhaps we want to support it on that basis."

Chairman Ray Morris said the 900-year-old building was worth supporting. He said: "This is the oldest building in the area. I think we are in a very difficult position if we do not do anything, there is a need for some specific lighting to make it safe."

But not all councillors were happy to support the proposal. Coun Ted Holloway said: "I feel uncomfortable because I do not feel our rates should be used in this way. The Church of England is the third largest landholder in the country, I feel if they were to stand by and let the church fall into disrepair than on their heads be it, not the parish."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Ryan said: "We are delighted by this news and very grateful to the parish council for this generous award. Each year thousands of people come to the barn and the church and this grant will help us to improve access for individuals and community groups from across Warndon Villages."

The money will be used for resurfacing part of the footpath and car park as well as for installing lighting.