CHILDREN at a Cartmel school have backed a campaign to see their church roof and organ restored to their former glory.

Cartmel Primary School has stumped up a sum of money to sponsor one of the 2,700 organ pipes in the historic Cartmel Priory, which need cleaning.

The organ has not been fully serviced since it was installed in the 1960s and Cartmel team vicar Father Robert Bailey said it was in need of "a good clean".

This week, children from the school helped to launch a broader fund-raising push to find £75,000 to bring both the organ and the roof up to scratch.

Fr Robert said vital sections of the roof's walkway were in need of repair. Around £120,00 has already been collected towards the double renovation project in the form of grants and awards.

People willing to make a donation are being invited to "sponsor" a pipe to the tune of £100, £50, £25, £15 or even just £1.

All sponsors' names will be kept and recorded in a book as a permanent reminder of their generosity.

Fr Robert said: "It is hoped the wider community will join the village of Cartmel in keeping this magnificent 12th century Priory Church in beautiful condition for future generations."

The Priory, formed in 1189, remains a place of worship and is host to around 60,000 visitors a year.

Over the next 12 months, fund-raisers plan to hold a series of events including an antiques auction, a flower festival and an art exhibition to help boost their fund raising totals.

February 13, 2003 12:01