A VICTORIAN church window will be removed and refurbished to its former glory at a cost of up to £40,000.

Parishioners at Holy Trinity Church in Town Lane, Idle, will have to make do with plain glass filling the 20ft wide and 30ft tall gap while its East Window is worked on by a craftsman near Ilkley.

But when it is finally returned, hopefully in time for Easter, it will be slotted on the inside of the plain glass which means it will be protected for generations to come.

“Effectively it will be a bit like double-glazing using a Victorian window,” said Holy Trinity vicar Jim Taylor.

The window is thought to be made up of more than 1,000 tiny pieces in rich colours. Its main image is The Ascension with Jesus’ disciples below.

“It’s an iconic piece of art in the community.

"Thousands of people have stood in front of it for baptisms, weddings, funerals and other worship. It’s so vibrant, full of reds and blues,” said the Rev Taylor.

It is hoped the window will be removed in January.

“When it comes back it will have been restored and renewed to its original glory. There’s been a lot of interest - what’s happening is huge - not just from people at church but in the community too,” added the Rev Taylor.

The bill will be anywhere between £33,000 and £40,000 and donations from the public will be most welcome, he said.

“We are a growing, thriving church who will welcome people’s generosity for our East Window Appeal but we do have funds and the work will be happening no matter what. It’s an exciting time in our history.”

This weekend, visitors to the church's Advent Fair will have the chance to see the window before it is removed. The fair starts at 11am today, finishing at 3pm.

Other chances to admire the East Window are on Saturday, December 10 when there will be a concert from Sing from the Heart, a Glee-style singing group for people with Learning and Physical Disabilities, starting at 7pm.

On Sunday, December 18 there will be two carol concerts at 4pm and 7pm.

To donate to the appeal, call the Church Office on 01274 615411 or send a cheque marked 'East Window Appeal' to the church in Town Lane, Idle, Bradford, BD10 8NS.

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