An Addingham church is celebrating an amazing public response to an appeal for a desperately needed new heating system.

The congregation of Mount Hermon Chapel has had to rely on just one, ageing heater since the other half of the system was condemned as unsafe back in the chilly days of February.

The Wesleyan Reform church was also told then that the remaining heater would have to be replaced within the year -

leaving it facing an uphill struggle to raise £3,000.

Pastor Susan Roe, who had hoped the 20-year-old system would do the job for a few more years while she concentrated on getting new toilets installed, described the news at the time as "a real set back".

But at the Fleece pub in Addingham on Sunday, May 4, Mrs Roe was presented with the last £100 needed to purchase the new heaters.

Speaking afterwards, she was full of praise for the response from the local community - and for the small part played by the local newspaper.

She said: "The Gazette had printed a report of the devastating news that the church heating system was unsafe and would have to be renewed.

"Through fund-raising and the generous donations of some of the Gazette's readers the money has now been raised.

"The final £100 was raised by folk singers at the pub who always have a collection during their singing every other Sunday, and when it reaches £100 they donate it to a local charity or need.

"I am delighted to announce that with the money they have just given the heating fund is now closed, and I would like to thank everyone for their help and

support."

Mrs Roe hopes the new heaters will be installed within the next couple of months, well before the temperatures start to plummet again.

Mount Hermon endured

significant disruption last year when £25,000 worth of work, including the rebuilding of the entire ceiling and the re-pointing of the church walls, was carried out.

Church members had hoped to now be focusing on raising money to replace their old toilet block, but were side-tracked by the heating crisis.

Thanks to such a speedy response to that problem, however, Mrs Roe is now hopeful she can get the Privy Fund back on track quite soon.