ENABLING worshippers to sit comfortably at Upton Parish Church is the aim of the chair appeal, launched at Easter.

It is hoped to replace all of the 175 chairs in the nave and chancel, at a cost of £80 each.

People are being invited to pay for one or more chairs, or give a donation towards one. So far, 70 pledges have been received.

A book of remembrance will be kept in church as a record of those who contributed, unless they choose to remain anonymous.

"I'm full of confidence that we will get enough money to replace all the chairs," said churchwarden Olive Latham.

"Hopefully we will all be rejoicing by this time next year."