RESTORATION of the grounds of a derelict landmark church has started but is expected to take several months to complete.

Help and funding is needed to support the efforts of the St John’s Church Preservation Group which is battling to save the Kates Hill church, closed in 2002 amid safety concerns.

The group has been told the church is repairable and has submitted an application for it to be listed by English Heritage in a bid to save it from demolition.

The go-ahead was given for grounds clearance to take place after negotiations between St John’s Church Parochial Church Council, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the preservation group.

Work has now started on clearing the large areas of the grounds which are covered in bramble and weed with Kates Hill community police and community volunteers all getting stuck in to help.

Preservation group chairman Deb Brownlee said: “We are delighted to be starting work at last.

The works will cost £260 for each day on site. This covers BTCV tools, supervision and expertise and they bring their own projectteam of about eight volunteers.

“We also very urgently need cash donations to help us pay for the clearance and for people to come forward with fundraising ideas.”

The first fund-raising show will take place on Friday October 10 when the Preservation Group will present a clairvoyant and psychic evening with John Starkey at Club Dudley in Waterloo Street at 7pm.

Deb added: “John Starkey has such a busy schedule with his TV and media work, so we were delighted to find that he knew all about St John’s and offered us his one of his few remaining free dates this year to help us raise funds. We are also grateful for the wonderful generosity of Club Dudley who have provided the venue.

This is our first ever fundraising event and we are hoping to get a good turnout ”

Tickets cost £6.95 and are available on the night or from Club Dudley, Wollaston Bakery in the Fountain Arcade, Checkers Hairdresser in Hall Street, Sofi’s Cafe in Castle Street or by sending a chequeand SAE to St John’s Church Preservation Group, The Old School House, St John’s Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, DY2 7JT.