A £3.5million campaign to fund a major refurbishment of Blackburn Cathedral has reached £800,000 in just eight months.

The fund will pay for building repairs, developing music projects and community work.

Dean Christopher Armstrong said reaching that total already was a massive boost to the efforts to update the cathedral.

He said: “The appeal was launched in extremely challenging financial circumstances, from which churches and communities are not immune.

“In spite of this, we have raised £800,000 so far. It is so important we all do whatever we can to ensure the fundraising we do is the very best.”

Appeal bosses have secured £500,000 from grant applications and personal donations, while the remaining amount has been from fundraising events.

But they said the remaining millions were needed before 2014 so that the building continued to be fit for use.

A major portion of funds is earmarked for renewing the 50-year-old wiring of the cathedral which, church leaders say, ‘will soon be contravening health and safety laws’.

High-tech lighting would be used to light a series of 15 paintings depicting the life of Christ.

There are also plans to light the exterior of the cathedral.

The Jesus Chapel, one of the most extensively-used areas of worship in the building, would have a new floor and furnishings.

Other aspects of the renovation plans include replacing chairs deemed a fire hazard.

The crypt will be modernised and refurbished so it is suitable for study, or conference use, and new rehearsal rooms will be created.

Funds will also be provided for the appointment of a chorister welfare officer, and the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Community Project, based in Wesley Hall Methodist Church.

Fundraising plans for next year include raffling a car, and setting the Dean a mystery challenge, which could involve a world record attempt.