CHURCH leaders are appealing for cash help to support a major improvement scheme hit by spiralling costs.

Providing disabled access and a new foyer and heating system at the United Reformed Church in Congleton was due to cost £125,000.

The Antrobus Street church was hopeful of raising the necessary funds to start work in July.

However the project has suffered a blow with news that the costs of the work have almost doubled in 15 months to £240,000.

Despite the setback the church is determined to go ahead with the scheme, although the work may have to be phased.

The timing of the improvements will depend on how much money can be raised and when, although the church is pledging to carry out a significant amount of work in 2004.

"The church recently commissioned an updated estimate from the quantity surveyor," said Alastair Mackintosh, chairman of the church's property and finance committee.

"To our shock this shows an extremely large increase, which is mainly attributed to a recent and ongoing dramatic rise in construction costs.

"Allowing for a start in mid-2004 the budget figure is more like £240,000 for the whole scheme.

"This development was a blow to the church, which was just getting over the effects of having had to deal with major, mainly unforeseeable, repairs, and had set much store on the new scheme.

"The problem has been considered by the Church Meeting, which decided that despite the challenge created by the bad news it will continue with the approved scheme as its vision for the future of the building.

"The church members believe there are overwhelming reasons for trying to have all the work carried out as soon as possible.

"Reluctantly they accept some phasing may have to take place, but only as a last resort."

The improvements include creating a new entrance gate and disabled access ramp, together with a revised landing and steps.

The inner vestibule wall, partitions and doors will be removed to create a new, more easily accessible foyer, almost the full width of the church.

A foldaway refreshment bar and disabled toilet also feature in the scheme, which includes a new heating system.