KINGSWINFORD churchgoers are on a mammoth mission to raise more than half a million pounds to bring their crumbling church up to scratch.

St Mary's Church and its hall, based in the village, is undergoing a huge makeover costing a whopping £600,000.

The 900-year-old church - which is a grade II listed building - desperately needs to replace its leaking roof, repair stonework to its Norman tower, carry out drainage work and install a heating system.

In order for the buildings to fall in line with the Disability Discrimination Act the parish and hall need to put ramps and disabled toilet facilities in place.

Graham Hackett, church warden, who has been leading the Dudley Road Church of England fundraising drive has already raked in an incredible £250,000.

The money has been raised through a variety of grants and fundraising events held by the church.

So far they have coined in £95,000 from English Heritage, £10,000 from Garfield Western, £20,000 from Cory Environmental Trust, £10,000 from Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust, £4,000 from Lasletts, £2,500 from the Dudley and Worcester Historic Churches Trust, and £65,000 from church events.

They also have £50,000 allocated by the Cory Environmental Trust specifically for the church hall and £15,000 from the local authority - which has paid for a new kitchen.

Mr Hackett said: "I am pretty please we have got as far as we have with the fundraising.

"There is a long way to go and we are hoping more people will come forward to help us.

Support' "We have recently done shows in the church centre to raise money and we have had a lot of support from the local community."

The hall is regularly used by nearby schools, the British Legion, amongst a host of other community groups.

Mr Hackett added: "It is a very lively centre. It has got a very good reputation for welcoming people in.

As a warden I am very proud of the work we are doing.

"We want to make the centre more modern so people can take advantage of it."

He hopes the first phase of the work will start in October with a view for the whole project to be completed in three years time.