AN appeal has been launched to help pay for repairs to a church bell tower.

Emergency work has to be carried out at All Saints Church in Burythorpe after the tower began to crumble away last year.

Parishioners have now launched an appeal to repay the loan taken out with the Church Council to carry out the repairs.

Church member Roger Preston, said: “Last summer a parishioner noticed that pieces of masonry had fallen onto one of the benches at the base of the church bell tower.

“This is a favourite spot for villagers with a marvellous view.

“A serious investigation was launched resulting in significant work. The cost has been eye-watering, scaffolding up for five months, the mason’s time and materials and the architect’s fee have all added up to about £20,000.

“Because the work was urgent, the Village Church Council could not wait to raise the necessary funds before starting work and was able to obtain a loan from the Diocese of York. The Church Council is now faced with raising money to repay the loan. This is not an easy task for a small village.”

Mr Preston said the Church Council was grateful for grants from Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, All Churches Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

“We are now looking at raising the money to repay the remainder of the loan with fundraising events and we are appealing to anyone who has connections with the village and may want to make a donation,” he said. “The church is well used with regular services, as well as special events, and we are lucky to have a wonderful rector Reverend Stephen Walker, who has been with us for two years, and also Bishop James Jones, the former bishop of Liverpool, who lives in the village and is a great supporter of the church.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the All Saints Church tower appeal should send it to the Treasurer, Judith Wilson, Hollybank, Burythorpe, Malton, YO17 9LJ.