A CAMPAIGN to restore one of Pendle’s most historic parish churches – which has been targeted by vandals – is set to benefit from a saint’s day.

Supporters of St Bartholomew’s, in Colne, have seen lead repeatedly stolen from the Market Street church’s roof.

And the altar window at the Grade One listed building has been cracked in a number of minor attacks in recent months.

So, as the cost of running the parish church spirals, the Rev Tony Rindl is launching St Bartholomew’s Day, on August 24, to provide a cash injection for the congregation’s coffers.

He is hoping that the church’s role, at the heart of the Pendle town, will encourage the community to dig deep and offer support.

Mr Rindl said: “One of the major things we do is to ensure that the church is open every day, or at least for part of the day.”

This resulted in a major overhaul of the historic building’s heating and boiler system.

He added: “We have a small but dedicated congregation who do their best in giving and digging deep.

“But this will be an opportunity for members of the public who use the church, from the wider community, to contribute towards this historic building.”

Some of the proceeds could be used to renew the protective covering for places like the altar window, and improved security to prevent further lead thefts.