AN APPEAL to raise funds to repair St James church in Audlem has been successful with almost £10,000 being raised.

To raise money for the continued upkeep of the building, Audlem resident Ralph Warburton launched a plaque appeal at the start of the year, with residents paying money to have their name on a plaque, which will be installed in the church.

The money from this will then go to the church's continued upkeep.

The appeal was stopped in its tracks by the Covid-19 pandemic but resumed in July.

Ralph reports that this appeal has been incredibly successful, with more than 60 families donating to the cause.

"At the start of the year I undertook to set in motion an appeal to assist in the repairs to the fabric of the building," said Ralph.

"Totally non-religious, but a way we could help by giving a donation to keep this iconic building, that has dominated the village for some 750 years or so.

"[The church] has been the subject of so many photographs, paintings, calendars, plays, music festivals, concerts, and that major appeal to help Bernie Cliffe some five years ago.

"A fabulous backdrop to life here.

"This appeal has been very successful as some 67 families have given freely, and who will feature with a plaque on the 'thank you' display we will place with the building .

"Close to £10,000 has been given, with a very special one off of a four figure sum by an anonymous colleague.

"Covid-19 has screwed up much of my efforts in getting the plaques commissioned, but hopefully I will get to the company in Wales soon to get things moving and start the New Year of Hope, after this so bad a 2020, with the results of my labours."