AMBITIOUS plans for a massive £2.3million facelift for Blackpool's parish church of St John's were presented to the town council.

The plans envisage a new modern worship area retaining the most significant aspects of the current building.

Additional floors will be added to part of the structure while the east side of the building will be retained to its full height.

This will allow visitors to the east end of the church the opportunity to appreciate the magnificent architecture including the dome and the stained glass windows.

A feasibility report was prepared with support from Blackpool Borough Council, Blackpool Challenge Partnership and the Diocese of Blackburn together with St John's Church.

If the recommendations in the study are accepted the church will need to raise £2.3 million to fund the project. A bid for funding has been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the results of this bid will be known by December.

Mr Sammy Lee, Blackpool Coroner and chairman of the Friends of St John's, said: "Blackpool now has the opportunity to restructure its parish church in order to meet the changing needs of the community. The vision to create a vibrant modern worship area whilst retaining the important aspects of the current church should be supported.

"We also need to retain the external structure of the building with its historic significance for the town. If this can be combined with extra facilities for the community and additional attractions for visitors to Blackpool this can only benefit Blackpool and its residents.

"This bold vision for a vastly altered church will only be possible if the church can successfully bid for funding including lottery funding. If the church is to remain within the town centre it will also need the support of Blackpool residents."

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, said: "I am delighted that the Blackburn Diocese has been able to make a substantial contribution to this project and to encourage its role as a catalyst to the redevelopment of the centre of Blackpool.

"I was encouraged by the church's plans to further develop links across the community, putting its faith into practice and bringing new life and hope to the people we serve."

The dilemma for St John's was that the building was far too large for the current congregation and was in need of significant maintenance, including repairs to Blackpool's "other tower".

The plans involve new areas for community use and consideration is being given for part of the building to offer local artists facilities and add a new dimension to the attractions available for visitors to the town centre.