HISTORY is in the making again at Dalehead, in the Forest of Bowland, as work to renovate the tiny church gets under way.

Contractors have been stripping out the aged internal furnishings to make way for a brand new heating and lighting system which will be powered by a wind turbine - a first for a church.

Contractors Conrad Blanc are also creating a display area which will depict the history of Dalehead and upland farming, as well as being a venue for lectures.

The place of worship, situated near Stocks Reservoir on the edge of Gisburn Forest, was originally built in 1937 using material salvaged from the original church.

The building, along with several farmhouses and cottages, had been demolished prior to the creation of a new 350-acre reservoir to supply water to Blackpool and the Fylde.

The rebuilt church was very basic, with the power for lighting and heating supplied by bottled gas. The past 70 years had also had a serious effect on the roof, which will also be mended as part of the renovation.

Work has now begun on the church's own wind turbine to create an independent power supply for light and heat.

Priest-in-charge, Rev Mark Russell-Smith, said: "It's a special church in many ways. It's set in Gisburn Forest within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the churchyard itself is the smallest designated Biological Heritage Site in the country, with 130 different plant species including orchids and a rare species of comfrey."

He added: "It's the only public building on the east side of the reservoir.

"We hold monthly services for the few who have links with the old village and it also acts as a wayside chapel for passers-by and a refuge against bad weather for walkers and cyclists.

"This new source of power and heat will keep the building dry for better preservation. Not many churches can say they're powered by wind as well as the Holy Spirit!"

The renovation work will also make it possible to open the church all year round.

Currently it is closed for worship between January and March.

The parish of Tosside, which is responsible for the church, has raised £115,000 towards the scheme with additional grants coming from Defra, the Lancashire Environment Fund, the Forest of Bowland AONB Sustainable Development Fund, English Nature and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Building work is due to be completed and the church rededicated by June.