MORE than £100,000 is needed to preserve an historic organ in a Worcester church.

Experts believe the 18th-century organ at St Swithun’s Church, off High Street, Worcester, is of huge national importance and deserving of careful restoration.

The Friends of St Swithun’s are campaigning to repair the unique instrument and are giving the public the chance to ‘buy’ one of the organ pipes for just £20.

They can then choose to have their name in a special commemorative booklet.

Friends’ member Julie Eaglen, organiser of the sponsorship scheme, said: “We felt that it gives people who care about St Swithun’s and the organ a really exciting sense of ownership.

“Whenever the organ is playing, they’ll be able to think, ‘That’s my pipe’.”

The organ, made in 1795 and enlarged in 1845, has just been given grade one listed status. It has 753 pipes in total and the entire restoration project will cost about £100,000.

The friends have applied for £50,000 from Heritage Lottery Fund and hope to raise another £15,000 through pipe sponsorship.

The remainder of the money will come from various grants. “It’s quite a lot,” said Ms Eaglen, “but it’s not impossible.”

Companies are encouraged to sponsor entire stops, the mechanisms which send air to the pipes, for lump sums.

Historian Dr Jim Berrow said the organ, “clothed in a graceful mahogany case”, is the third instrument to stand in the church.

The first would have been put in place in 1687, which means St Swithun’s was probably the first church in Worcester to possess an organ after Worcester Cathedral.

“Restored, the organ will be a valuable, national research resource for musicians, scholars and specialist organ-builders and will allow the authentic performance of a wide repertoire of 18th and early 19th-century organ music,” said Dr Berrow.

St Swithun’s, itself a grade one listed Georgian church, is open on Fridays and Saturdays and cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust charity.

To find out more about sponsoring pipes or visiting the organ, pop in, call chairman of the friends Will Scott on 01905 354629 or e-mail herbgarden@onetel.com.