THE team behind a major effort to re-open a church are hoping work to repair its dangerous roof will start next year.

The congregation at the Northgate United Reformed Church, in Darlington, have raised more than £32,000 this year for vital repairs, including more than £500 raised at a Boxing Day dip on Sunday.

Read more: Work on new Darlington railway station to begin next summer

The church in Northgate, which has been a landmark in the town for more than 150 years, was unable to reopen after lockdown after surveys revealed the roof was in a dangerous condition,

Recent repair work has taken place on the spire but further work costing in the region of £260,000, is needed to bring it back into use.

Andrew Randle, chairman of the church managers, said: "We've had quite a busy year doing different things. I think we are seriously looking at getting it done in the part of this coming year."

The church will be applying for a grant from the Northern Synod in the New Year and is also hoping to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery.

Read more: Bid to save church in Northgate, Darlington

It is hoped work will commence in the spring and take 10 to 12 weeks to complete, allowing the church to reopen by the summer.

Mr Randle said: "We're about 97 per cent confident that we're going to do it this year. I would like to think it will be done in the first half of the year. We were initially aiming for Easter but that might not be realistic."

As well as repairing the roof, work is planned to make the space usable by more than one group at the same time, allowing more community activities to take place.

Mr Randle added: "Our goal for when we are up and running is to be a lot more community focused.

"We are realising that although we are a church and our members use our services, we need to gear ourselves towards being a 24/7 type of building and get in as many groups as possible."

It has been forging links with Pathfinder House, also in Northgate, and other people in the town, including MP Peter Gibson and ward councillor Sajna Ali.

It is also welcoming new members and volunteers who could help with things like painting.

The church was without a place to gather for much of the year but since November has been meeting at Elm Ridge Methodist Church, in Carmel Road.

Mr Randle said: "We continue to be very positive. We feel as though we are being led down a certain track and we have come across barriers but something has always come to help us past.

"I feel as though my faith has been strengthened because we feel like there is always a way round. We feel like we are being led down a track and we feel like it is in the right direction."

Anyone who would like to volunteer, find out more or get involved is asked to email admin@nurc.info.

People can also donate by visiting nurc.info, where there is a link to the church's Just Giving page.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054