REVEREND Graham Joyce is seeking financial help to rebuild a crumbling churchyard wall.

The wall in question is more than 100 years old, and is due to cost at least £20,000 to repair.

Mr Joyce is rector of All Saints Church, Church Lawton, which has enough money in its coffers to fund the expensive repair work.

However using that money would leave the church strapped for cash, and Mr Joyce is seeking a £5,000 grant from Congleton Borough Council.

The section of wall in need of repairs is 10 to 12 feet high, about 30 feet long, and the high cost of the repairs is due to the lack of substantial foundations under the wall and the need to avoid the use of machinery near graves.

"The problem with that part of the wall has been emerging for the past five years,"said Mr Joyce.

"We noticed cracks appearing, which have now become holes."

The wall runs alongside a public footpath used by people walking their dogs and visiting local woods, and the crumbling section has been cordoned off.

"There is a certain amount of public interest involved because this is the only burial ground in Church Lawton Parish, and there is no burial ground provided by the borough council nearer than St Peter's Church in Congleton," said Mr Joyce.

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