RENOVATION work to Radcliffe's landmark church costing hundreds of thousands of pounds has had to be postponed because of spiralling costs.

Major structural problems in the tower of St Thomas and St John Church were worse than originally thought.

This has forced money set aside for repair and replacement of low level pointing and lower masonry on the side aisles, plus some of the floors, has been redirected towards repairing the tower instead.

Church treasurer Mr Terry Atherton said: "In total we had £638,000, three-quarters of which came from Lottery funding, but £95,000 of that was needed for the tower."

He stressed that the church's wet rot and dry rot problems have been eradicated, roofs have been repaired and a new heating system has been installed.

Mr Atherton added that the outstanding work would be done when more money became available.