A GROUP fighting to save a mediaeval Droitwich landmark is delighted after church leaders backed the crusade.

St Andrew's Church, in the town's St Andrew's Street, faces an uncertain future unless £750,000 is raised to improve its structure and replace the rotting floor.

The St Andrew's Cornerstone Project Group formed to raise the cash, but could not begin fund-raising until the Parochial Church Council agreed the building was a busy community meeting place and worthy of renovation.

The PCC has now given unanimous backing and last Saturday volunteers held a carol service in Salters' Shopping Centre to celebrate the news and raise awareness of the project.

The campaign to revamp the church began in 1998.

A public meeting was held in October to gauge opinion and Cornerstone members now hope to develop small meeting rooms and make the 800-year-old building a venue for concerts and exhibitions.

"The pressure is on to start work urgently after an architect's report highlighted areas needing repairs," said the group joint chairman John Drury.

"We are now exploring the real possibilities of the building and our short term aim is to raise £5,000.

"This will pay for a full architectural survey and feasibility study.

"Then we can look at specific architects who are able to create a multi-use building that can be a centre of worship and a wider community venue for the 21st Century."

Anyone who would like to help can get more information from the Parish Centre, in St Andrew's Street.