PEOPLE in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, have raised over £160,000 for the Under the Roof Appeal at St James' Church.
The money which included a £114,000 grant from the English Heritage Lottery Fund has paid for a replacement roof for the Victorian church.
Now the villagers are starting to raise money for new lavatories, and provision of disabled access, a meeting area and an educational area for the children.
Yesterday the appeal was given a welcome cash boost when Jim Forster from the Freemasons of Durham presented fundraisers with a cheque for £500.
This weekend the fundraisers are hosting the annual patronal festival as a fitting start to phase two of the church refurbishment
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