DRY rot is threatening Redditch Parish Church and essential repair work must start immediately.

Vital work costing £20,000 will start next month, although only a fraction of the money has been raised so far.

"The job of getting rid of rot must get under way without delay," said the Rev John Key.

The rot is worst in the Lady Chapel and unless immediate action is taken, there is a danger it will spread throughout the 130-year-old church.

Repair work will start in the middle of August and will cost £20,000.

So far, the dry rot appeal has only £3,000 in the kitty, although they expect it to double by the end of November.

"We have a lot of fundraising to do and events planned but we are going to have to borrow a lot of the money," said they Rev Key, vicar of St Stephens'.