Organisers of a project working to convert one of Bradford’s derelict churches into a homeless shelter have won the support of a top UK designer.

Wallpaper designer Deborah Bowness has agreed to help catch the eye of supporters and potential sponsors interested in backing the £1 million plus make-over at St Mary’s RC Church in Barkerend Road.

She will be using her trompe l’oeil trick-of-the-eye designs to set the scene inside the church in time for the Emmaus charity's fundraising evening on Thursday.

The artworks are part of a national touring exhibition that the designer has been creating with college students to reinvigorate and brighten up run-down empty spaces or empty shopping streets.

The project, called Paper Trail, was started by the artist as part of a festival in Brighton last year and was such a success she decided to roll it out nationwide, and Bradford will be its first call.

Juli Thompson, vice-chairman of the Emmaus Project, said: “Paper Trail is a unique and innovative art exhibition. We are humbled and delighted that Deborah has decided to work with us on this project and excited that Bradford, and especially St Mary’s Church, can play a part in this National Art Exhibition.”

The charity is hoping the exhibition will help attract more people to next week’s fundraiser which will also be attended by Emmaus UK's patron and former Middle East hostage Terry Waite.

Visitors to the iconic building will be able to find out about restoration plans for the church, what has already been done to prepare work on the project and what still needs to be done, at the event which starts at 5.30pm.

Originally the project was estimated to need about £2.3m but now project leaders believe with businesses and volunteers giving time for free, the final bill might be around £1m instead.

To get involved in helping make the project happen, call 07833 450482.