A TEESDALE church is flourishing thanks to a group of parishioners.

The Friends of St Andrew’s Church was set up five years ago when the 19th Century building, in Bolam, was faced with potential closure when the floor needed replacing.

However, a dedicated team of about eight parishioners were determined to keep it open and went on to raise £10,000 to install a new stone floor.

Their efforts have carried on ever since with regular fundraisers held to make other improvements to the building and they have now been awarded £700 from the Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) to help transform the church into a place for the whole community.

The £700 is from TAPs, Supporting Community Organisations Small Grants Fund, which has supported 27 organisations in the Teesdale area.

Reverend Lissa Scott, who got married in the church last year, said the money will help the committee install a water supply and new doors.

“We only have about 60 people who live in Bolam and we thought we were going to have to close from the floor five years ago, because it was deemed unsafe, but the group was set up and we managed to raise enough to install a new stone floor that will last a lifetime.”

The group, along with the help of several residents, have raised about £5,000 for the latest works with everything from wine and cheese nights to garden parties.

Group chairwoman, Roz Blacklock, said: “TAP has been very good and we are delighted to have their support.”

She added: “So far we have upgraded the heating and done some work to the roof to make it sound so now we can start on the interior.”

The group are hoping to complete the work in the next few months so the popular church, which had more than 100 people attend last year’s Christmas service, can be used by other community groups alongside its existing services.

TAP coordinator, Craig Morgan, said: “We are keen to support organisations right across the TAP area so it’s great that we’ve been able to help out the Church in Bolam.

“It is the only community building in the village and our funding will help them make some changes to the interior that makes it better suited for different community activities that the whole village will benefit from”.

The group is already planning its next fundraisers and The Felling Male Voice Choir have already confirmed they will be performing on Saturday, September 24.

Any donations can be made payable to The Friends of St Andrew’s Church and sent to Mrs Blacklock at The Old Vicarage, Bolam, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2UP.