A Birkenshaw church is to undergo a £350,000 facelift which will include an extension to the rear and a new portico at the front.

St Paul's Parish Church, in Bradford Road, has not seen any major work for a century, but it is now hoped to make its layout more "people-friendly".

The vicar, the Reverend Steve Mitchell, said he wanted to make the church more accessible to schoolchildren and the community. It is hoped the extension will have meeting rooms with educational and conference facilities.

"The design is really very forward-looking," said Mr Mitchell. "As a parish, we have very solid, traditional values but we want a modern outlook and approach as we go into the 21st Century. We want to attract new members to a vibrant and well-appointed place of worship."

As part of the restructuring - which could take four years - a huge memorial screen, emblazoned with the names of Birkenshaw's war dead, will be moved to reveal the front end of the church where a new vestry will be created. The choir will also be moved to the front of the building.

The font, which traditionally stands at the back of a church, will also be moved to the front and the new extension at the back will have a first floor balcony. Wooden doors will be replaced by glass ones so people can see the church's interior before entering.

The heating system will be modernised this winter and a kitchen and storage room will be added to the ground floor and a mini-kitchen to the first floor.

Mr Mitchell said they still hoped to hold services while the work was going on.

"The congregation was consulted about the changes and we gave an architect some basic ideas," said Mr Mitchell. "He drew up a plan and further consultation was done. We will not do the work before we have the money to pay for it. We will not run up any debt."

Fundraising has already begun and the church has saved £80,000, but Mr Mitchell hopes most of the money will come from grants and donations.

The church caters for a parish of more than 10,000 and the congregation is made up of more than 2,500 people, from babies and teenagers to pensioners.

To make a donation, contact one of the clergy team - Steve on (01274) 683776, David on 873339 or Ralph on 681955.