URGENT repairs to Box parish church will not be able to start in September unless £10,000 can be raised.

Parishioners have been working flat out to raise the £55,000 needed to carry out badly needed improvements inside St Thomas Becket church, including putting in a new heating system.

The new heating system needs to be done before this winter if parishioners are to be able to continue using the church. The system will cost £35,000 and the appeal committee has managed to raise £25,000 towards it but is still £10,000 short.

Fundraising spokesman Jerry Dix said: "We had hoped we would have raised sufficient funds for the work to be started in September but, despite an incredible response to date, we are still £10,000 short of the target."

The £25,000 has been raised since the launch of the appeal last September.

The inside of the church also needs attention but those repairs, costing £20,000, will only go ahead when the money has been raised to replace the heating system.

Mr Dix said much of the money had come from donations from parishioners and villagers.

He said: "Thanks to the commitment of the local community and to the generosity of many individuals and trusts, the fund currently stands at nearly £25,000."

The appeal committee is desperate to raise the final £10,000 so work can start, as planned, in September.

More fundraising events are currently being arranged to try to boost the kitty.

Mr Dix said: "These requirements are not negotiable.

"They are essential for the life of the church in Box to continue, both in terms of providing a place of worship and possibly providing a base for wider community use in the future."

Appeal committee chairman Mark Daymond said: "The response to the appeal by the local community has been quite magnificent and we have been particularly grateful for the generous donations from a number of individual benefactors and from trusts.

"Sadly, despite their immense generosity, we have still some way to go before we hit our target.

"A further £10,000 will be needed if we are to keep on track for the new heating system to be installed in September before the winter comes, so we are renewing our efforts to raise this."

Fundraising events planned a sponsored horse ride on September 8 and an old-time music hall concert on September 14.

Details of all events are available from Mr Daymond on (01225) 811537.