RENOVATION work and fund-raising has begun at a 19th century church in Harvington.

St Mary's Church parishioners, led by Father David Higham, will have to raise £80,000 during the next five years to finance extensive repairs.

Plans aim to ensure the church - opposite the moated Harvington Hall - faces the future with its roof, stonework and interior in good condition.

So far more than three quarters of the cash has been raised.

Scaffolding is already in place and workmen are busy on the jobs in hand. Father David Higham at St Mary's Church.

A 40-strong group, The Friends of St Mary's Harvington, was formed last summer to help raise vital funds by organising a series of events.

Secretary Anne Hingley said: "We are trying to get some people to join and raise money for the church repairs.

"Our first event was a Christmas concert, which raised £340 and the flower club raised about £3,000 for us, but we've had a very generous legacy which brought us up to about £63,000."

St Mary's is a significant landmark in English Roman Catholicism. It was built in 1825 by Sir George Throckmorton - four years before the Catholic emancipation in England.

It is also the pilgrim shrine of Worcestershire's English Martyr John Wall, who was beheaded at Worcester.

Fr Higham said: "Several significant defects were found when the Diocesan architect carried out a five-year report on the building.

"It was also decided that a full internal redecoration, including replastering and improvements to the sound system and lighting, should be included."

Work is being carried out at the east-end of the church where decades of wind and rain has resulted in some water penetration into the soft sandstone.

The next fund-raising event will be an Irish Night at St Ambrose Centre, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, on Friday, March 14 at 7pm.

For more information telephone Mrs Hingley on 01562 852736.