A church has now raised more than £300,000 to replace a leaking roof and develop community facilities.

The Reverend Martin Lowles, vicar at St Paul’s in Bradford Road, Birkenshaw, said £130,000 was spent on creating kitchen and toilet facilities.

The replacement roof cost £90,000 and the majority of the funds have been met through fund raising initiatives such as concerts, events and generous donations.

The remaining money will pay for the repair of the steeple. Work is due to start in Spring.

Mr Lowles says they are keen for the community to use the church.

He said: “It is the one large building we have in the area that people can use. It’s being sensitive to the building but changing it for a new era.”