A GROUP with a mission has targeted a world record in a bid to raise the £100,000 plus needed to save a historic church tower.

The Grade II listed Leigh Parish Church of St Mary's needs urgent work to make safe the tower, which has been a part of the local landscape for 500 years.

If the structural stonework bracing is not replaced, falling masonry could be a hazard to anyone in the vicinity of the building. So perhaps parishioners' quest for help in fund-raising will be given the support it deserves by everyone.

Who knows, maybe the all-day boozers who grace the churchyard when the sun shines might even collect their discarded tinnies and donate the recycling proceeds? Some might say any danger from falling stonework would be an act of God which might move them on while other acts to do so are still awaited. Local boy comes good SPORTS fans who tuned in to this week's war of the roses Rugby League battle can't fail to have been impressed by Leigh lad Neil Turley.

Talented Turley's neat footwork earned him a deserved try and he was unlucky not to have at least one more as the Lancashire men powered to victory.

Those who have seen him rise through schoolboy rugby and Leigh Rangers' ranks always had faith in his super skills which took him to an apprenticeship with Wigan. Centurions' supporters can be thankful that his potential was only fully revealed after he was taken on by his home town club. His feats will have been noticed by top flight clubs in both codes. Hopefully Turley's quest for further glory will remain in Leigh colours and in the 13-a-side code at the highest level. Well done, lad.