A CHURCH devastated by fire just months ago is to rise from the ashes as huge fundraising efforts get into gear.

Trinity Methodist Church in Norton, near Malton, suffered extensive damage earlier this year after an electrical fault set the building on fire.

Estimates have since suggested the repair bill could run to more than £100,000 on top of the insurance cash available.

However, despite the daunting size of the task, money has already started flowing in to help the church and more than £46,000 is already in the pot.

As the fundraising continues, provisional plans are being drawn up by architects in an effort to safeguard the church's future.

The Reverend Stewart Young said: "We want to be able to open the church out to make it more accessible and visible to the wider community. When you come in you will be able to see right into the church so it shows it is open and available to everyone."

Following the fire the church held a gift day for members of the congregation to look around the wreckage. Visitors donated £7,000 - and gift aid from the Government took that total up to more than £8,000.

"That's an indication of the level of support we have," said Mr Young.

"Folks have heard about what is going on and their hearts are going out to us."

Other cash has come from beetle-drives, sponsored toddles and coffee mornings.

"One of those raised more than £300 so, do a few of those and you have £1,000 already," said Mr Young. "It's bit-by-bit chipping away at the block."

The Swinton and District Excelsior Band held a fundraising concert which proved to be a big money-spinner and £33,000 from the sale of the church's caretaker's cottage went straight to the fund.

One enterprising member of the congregation has salvaged pieces of wood from the wreckage of the church and is now turning them into hand-carved items for sale.