A TINY Methodist community in the north Pennines is battling to preserve a rare piece of church architecture.

The spire on the 110-year-old Bainbridge Memorial Chapel, at Eastgate, in Weardale, is one of the few to be erected on a Methodist chapel, in Britain.

But it is badly in need of repair - at least £3,000 is needed to stop it leaking rainwater into the chapel below.

Much more money will be needed to restore it to its former glory.

Margaret Gibbons, who has worshipped at the chapel since she was a child, said an iron weather vane had caused damage to protective lead and to intricate wood panelling on the spire - a prominent landmark in Weardale.

She said at present they were waiting for an engineer's report, but it was estimated that just basic repairs would cost £3,000.

The spire is the "crowning glory" of the chapel, which was built in 1891, by Emerson Muschcamp Bainbridge, in memory of his father, Cuthbert Bainbridge, whose family founded the department store in Newcastle.

"It really is a magnificent little chapel," said Mrs Gibbons.

But with the average Sunday congregation numbering only between four and eight they are finding it difficult to raise the money for the repairs.

"It would be nice if someone from outside could come along and offer to help," said Mrs Gibbons, who is also anxious to trace an author called Angela Airey, last heard of in Alnwick, Northumberland, who wrote a book about the Bainbridge family.

Anyone wishing to help the chapel should contact Mrs Gibbons, on (01388) 517561, or the Reverend Les Hann on (01388) 528245