The congregation is raising money to re-build the roof after damp got into the internal steel structure causing the concrete to move.

Church warden Woodliffe Wright feels confident they will raise the cash and hopes to get the work done this summer.

He said he will apply to WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd) for a grant, which usually offers 25 per cent of the total cost, but besides that they are relying on small charity events and donations at services.

Mr Wright said: "We've got an awful lot to fund, but I feel confident.

"We always find the money when we need something. It comes in and we get there in the end. People are very charitable."

The church members have so far raised £100 after a games evening at Plumptre Hall last week and have planned a garden party for the summer.

Almost £3,000 worth of improvements have just been carried out to the church's bell tower.

Asbestos was removed, debris was cleared out and weatherproof boarding was put up to stop pigeons getting in.

WREN contributed £750 towards the project and the rest was raised by the church.

St Mary's Church on Church Street was rebuilt 40 years ago after it was burnt down by arsonists.

The tower was the only part left after the fire, which still stands today.

The bells at St Mary's are known as some of the best in the East Midlands and people come from miles around to ring them.

They are regularly rung on the second Sunday of each month by the Greasley Church bell ringers.

WREN is an environmental body that distributes the landfill tax credits of Waste Recycling Group Plc.

The tax credit scheme gives waste management companies the opportunity to divert 20 per cent of their landfill tax into community, environmental and educational projects.