ONE of the finest church organs in the North West is to undergo £40,000 worth of restoration work.

The Willis organ at St Paul's Church, Longridge, has been deteriorating for years but top organ-builders have now been called in.

Cash has been raised from church coffers, grants and parish fund-raising, but £10,000 is still needed. Vicar Richard Awre said a fund-raising scheme would be launched in January to meet the shortfall.

The organ, installed in 1894, is a typical example of the later work of Henry Willis, one of England's most distinguished organ-builders who installed organs at Carlisle Cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall and St Paul's Cathedral.

The restoration work, to be undertaken by Liverpool organ-builders David Wells, is due to be completed in February.

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