A £750,000 project to transform a Clitheroe church has been given the thumbs-up from the congregation.

The plan to build an extension on to St Mary Magdalene’s Church, which can trace its roots back to the 15th century, was unanimously supported by the Parochial Church Council.

The move comes after a consultation of congregation member showed that the majority were in favour of the extension, which will serve as a new community centre.

The project was first mooted by church bosses after the announcement that the St Mary’s Centre in Church Street would be sold to the Lancaster Foundation.

The Rev Andy Froud said that there was a ‘substantial minority’ who favoured converting a room at the back of the church into a community space.

He said that a ‘small minority’ wanted the church not to sell the St Mary’s Centre.

The Grade II*-listed church has recently finished raising money for covering the costs of repairing the spire, which dates back to 1848 after it fell into disrepair.

Consultations with English Heritage and Ribble Valley Borough Council are now set to start.

Mr Froud said: “The Lancaster Foundation’s offer was a very generous one and a very good one.

“We are working with them to make sure that we get the provision to serve the community and all the community groups that currently use the hall. Our budget is £750,000 but it could well go up to £1million.

“This is a step forward but it’s still going to be a long haul. Nothing is set in stone and it remains to be seen what the outcomes will be from the new consultations.

“We have very ambitious targets that we have set ourselves but I’m really encouraged with the amount of people who have supported the plan.”

Town council leader Mary Robinson said: “It’s a beautiful plan and I’m very pleased that the congregation and the PCC have said yes.

“They have always struggled with having their rooms across the road and they have never proposed something that’s been wrong before.

“I think this will be welcomed in the whole of the town.”