THE restoration of Christ Church could begin as early as next year. That is the claim being made by the Skyline Appeal which was set up around 18 months ago to raise the £1 million required for essential maintenance work on the building.

Since its launch, it has managed to raise over £200,000. But this could soon be doubled if an application for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund is successful.

The appeal is also applying for other charitable grants.

Michael Slipper, chairman of the appeal, said: "Christ Church is one of the most historically interesting buildings in Swindon.

"If we can get these grants we would like to begin the work as soon as possible, preferably in the next lot of good and clear weather, which is likely to be next year.

"It is a building that we need to look after not just so it can be used for weddings, funerals, services and christenings but for the community as a whole for concerts, debates and meetings and that's why we need to preserve it."

More than 150 years of harsh weather and pollution have taken their toll on the historic church, which was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and mentioned by John Betjeman.

Now the appeal is aiming to reverse the damage caused by the elements and stop Christ Church from becoming potentially unusable and unsafe.

The urgent repairs needed include attention to the spire, the roof, walls, masonry, windows and drainage. Some of the damage is already clear to see. Currently, green netting covers the four louvres on each of the four sides of the tower.

The louvres themselves are made of stone and are literally rotting. As a result, engineers attached netting to the windows to stop stone fragments coming away and hitting people.

Mr Slipper said: "The appeal has really caught people's attention, and many people have been extremely helpful."

"Money has been raised with lots of fundraising events, through bequests, even the vicar, Simon Stevenette, has run the London Marathon for the appeal, and so fundraising has been generally good."

The Rev Stevenette said: "The building has helped many over the years. Now it is time for the many to help the building not to create a museum, but to secure and expand the base of our support to the people of Swindon. Put simply, this is about Swindon's future."

The committee is now planning a unique fundraising event on a date to be set later this year.

Christened the Christ Church Three Castles Challenge, teams of four people from businesses or the community will be challenged to cycle from Christ Church to the castles at Liddington, Uffington and Barbury.

At each hill, participants will have to jump off their bikes and run up each hill. There will be prizes and trophies for the first three teams across the line, and there will be prizes for the largest funds raised.

For more information, go to: www.christchurch-swindon.co.uk or call (01793) 522832.