A FORMER Archbishop of Canterbury made a personal appearance at a Blackburn church to help fund the cost of repairing its historic organ.

Rowan Williams, who held the position of leader of the Church of England between 2002 and 2012, exceeded guests' 'wildest expectations' after he spoke about his life and faith at St Silas' Church in Blackburn.

Dr Williams, who is now Master of Magdalene College in Cambridge, was invited more than a year ago by fundraiser Jean Brindle, whose husband David is the organist.

The 1904 Harrison Organ had been failing badly for several years and collapsed completely in 2014.

It cost £142,000 to repair with the appeal so far raising £82,000 towards paying it back.

Mrs Brindle, who hosted the former archbishop at her home in Walton-le-Dale, said: "He was absolutely perfect for the occasion.

"He talked for an hour and you could hear a pin drop. Nobody moved. He really exceeded everything we expected.

"He talked about the seven jobs an Archbishop is expected to do, about living in Lambeth Palace which he called something between a hotel and conference centre because he hosted so many groups of people.

"He talked about wanting people to connect to each other and how that is the most important thing - for us to talk to each other.

"He told us about the time he arranged a private dinner with the Queen which involved Michael Palin and an outspoken young youth worker and going to Zimbabwe to meet Robert Mugabe and how difficult that was.

"We brought him back for Shepherd's Pie and my husband dropped him at Preston Station on Wednesday morning.

"He is a really humble human being. His spirituality is amazing."

Guests at the event, which filled the church, included the Bishop of Blackburn Julian Henderson, who was taught by Dr Williams, and the Archdeacon of Lancaster Michael Everitt.

Mrs Brindle thinks they raised around £1,000 to add to the appeal.

"The organ was failing badly for several years then on Easter Sunday in 2014 it collapsed completely. That's when the project started and it was restored in 2016," she said.

"Now it sounds magnificent. It has completely transformed and qualified organists are clamouring to come and play it."

The church will be hosting a number of organ concerts throughout the year. For more information visit www.stsilasorgan.org.uk.