Another small village congregation is facing huge repair bills.

The Pioneer recently reported that  St Lawrence, Stoak, had successfully  completed work estimated at £134,000  to bring the grade two listed sandstone church back to its former  glory.

Now, worshippers at St James The  Great, Ince, another sandstone  church which  dates from the 15th  century, have launched ambitious  plans to save their grade two star  listed historic building.

Essential restoration work is  needed to the stonework and roof,  which in recent months has also  been the subject of numerous lead  thefts resulting in further internal  damage.

Following a successful bid to English Heritage, the vicar, the Rev Margaret Fletcher, says she is thrilled to  receive news the church has been  granted £40,000 towards the cost from  English Heritage.

“The total cost of the repair work  has been estimated at £95,000, leaving St James’s small congregation a very  difficult task of raising £55,000 to  match the funding,” she said.

The campaign was launched with a  garden party raising £500 and a hog  roast raising £680.

Fundraising is ongoing and the  next event at the church is a flower  festival from Friday, September 27, to  Sunday, September 29, when the  building will be beautifully decorated with the help of Wirral Flower  Club.

 The festival will be open  between 10am and 5pm on the Friday  and Saturday and on Sunday from  1pm to 4pm.

Special harvest services on the  Sunday will see harvest thanksgiving for all the family at 10am and a  harvest songs of praise at 6pm.

“We are hoping for many visitors  who will be assured of a very warm  welcome,” added the vicar, who has  received an MBE for her community  work.