Worshippers gave an astonishing £600,000 in just two hours at a special service to raise funds for a church extension.

About 650 members of the Abundant Life Centre, Bradford, decided they would literally put their money where their mouths were and gave all they could afford to start the £1 million appeal.

And senior minister Paul Scanlon said the congregation "went bananas" when the staggering total was revealed at last Sunday's service- dubbed Victory Sunday.

The special fund-raising service took place on the Sunday before. The money will go towards the church's Enlarge the Place appeal which aims to double the size of the building in Wapping Road.

The 30 couples who are leaders at the church gave £160,000 between them and challenged worshippers to see how much they could find.

For some members that meant handing over £15,000 and for others £20. And about 100 children pooled their pocket money to give £1,000.

One couple, who decided to give £10,000, told today how they believed their prayers to find the money were answered.

Charlotte Gambill, who attends church with her husband Steve, said: "We decided as a couple that we really wanted to do it.

"We prayed about it and wrote the figure down and the next morning a cheque came out of the blue, a tax rebate of £3,000. We believe that if we give, God will give to us. Money just comes from strange places - that's the wonderful thing about banking with God."

A total of £200,000 in cash or cheques was collected in the fund-raising service. The remainder was added through pledges, valuables like jewellery and stocks and shares.

Mr Scanlon said it took a week to count the total which was greeted with whoops and cheers when he announced it on Sunday.

"The church went bananas when they understood how much we had raised," he said.

"It was a very moving time, that this church gave an unprecedented amount of money in one offering. There weren't grants or businesses involved. It was pure giving."

Mr Scanlon added: "I rang the bank manager and he said 'Bloody hell. I would like to come and see you'."

"There was no fund-raising, no grants. We haven't been selling anything. There was no jumble sales or sponsored events. We have banned them as a church because they exhaust the congregation."

Sylvia James, who was widowed four years ago and is a single mum, said: "I didn't think I had anything to give. Then I thought I have my ring and my husband's wedding ring. I felt a little voice saying 'Give this. You don't need this any more"."

She said: "The church has sustained me. Since I first walked through the doors it was as if I had come home. I knew this was where I should be. In a way it was honour to be able to contribute in a small way."

The success of the fund-raising means the project to build a 1,500-seat auditorium, children's wing, gymnasium for young people and a series of conference rooms, can be completed in the year 2000.

Another £7,000 is expected to be raised this Saturday when Christian comedy duo Cannon and Ball appear at the church.

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