A FANTASTIC community effort has helped raise more than £170,000 for church repairs with campaigners now hoping for a final push.

Another £16,000 is needed to complete two years of fundraising at St James the Less Church, High Street, Hadleigh.

The money is needed to make the driveway and path leading to the church safe, as well as other improvements to the churchyard, hedges and railings.

The Friends of Hadleigh Church (St James The Less) launched the fundraising mission after plans were drawn up in 2016.

The site was described by campaigners as the “green lung in the centre of Hadleigh” and a huge fundraising push, has seen £171,000 raised through grants and its own fundraising.

Ideally, the church is looking for work to commence this summer.

St James has already had approval from church authorities for the project.

A spokesman for the church said: “Many residents will be aware the church has been working on a scheme to make safe the driveway and path which currently give access to the church building and to make other improvements to the churchyard which is the green lung in the centre of Hadleigh and the resting place of so many, including former residents, service personnel and members of the Salvation Army.

“We have raised the money through grants and our own efforts but now, in order to start work this summer, we are appealing urgently to individuals, businesses and the local authority for contributions towards this total, otherwise the plans will need to be reduced.

“The church has been described as the ‘jewel at the heart of Hadleigh’.

“We hope very much that you will feel able to make a financial contribution towards making it safe to visit and enjoy.

For more details, visit hadleighhistory.org.uk/content/main-subjects/places/st-james-less-church-churchyard-appeal-april-2018