By Jean Kingdon

CHRISTMAS has come early for members and clergy of Bishop's Castle Parish with a financial windfall meaning their tower is saved.

An appeal was launched after the congregation of St John the Baptist Church was told by English Heritage last January that it needed to raise £43,00 as its share in the cost of restoring the tower.

Now, the Rev Paul Collins, priest-in -charge, has heard that because all the VAT on the 'Listed Place of Worship Repair Programme' can be reclaimed, the actual target will be only £21,000.

"As our appeal account has just reached that figure we can now consider the tower is saved," he added.

"The account will remain open because building tenders have not yet been received. There are, however, no need for any further fund-raising events other than those already planned.

"Any money remaining in the account after our English Heritage commitment has been met will be used for external maintenance on the tower and the church building."

Mr Collins congratulated all those involved in the fund-raising.

"It has been a great community effort with much individual and collective generosity," he said.

"Most pleasing of all has been the enjoyment we have all had out of so many successful fund-raising events."