A CHURCH dedicated to the heroic Accrington Pals is battling against the threat of closure after a survey revealed it is riddled with dry rot and damp.

And people were today urged to help raise the £150,000 needed to repair the building as they were reminded: "Those brave men gave their lives for you -- and we said we would never forget."

St John's Church in Addison Street, Accrington, was one of the last places the young men of the town gathered before going to their deaths in the First World War, going on parade before leaving.

The recruits of the 11th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment -- The Accrington Pals -- were drawn from Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Church, Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors.

The church contains an Accrington Pals Chapel dedicated to their memory as well as a plaque, a book of memorial and flags and is the official place of remembrance for the ill-fated regiment.

But the church's tower is now out of bounds after dry rot was discovered and architects fear rot in several of the roof's beams could have spread right across the church.

Concerns are also mounting about the safety of the church's western wall, which is suffering from chronic damp.

The vicar, the Rev Ian Robertson, has launched an appeal to raise more than £75,000 to pay for repairs -- but the figure only covers the cost of the damage discovered so far and there are fears that it could quickly escalate.

Civic dignitaries today backed an appeal to save the church with a £150,000, which may also help create a part-time community centre.

The church -- which is part of the Accrington Acorn trail, a historical walk around the town, has only just managed to afford to pay for storm damage suffered in 1997.

And Mr Robertson said: "£75,000 will cover the cost of the problems uncovered so far, but we do not know the full extent of the damp or the dry rot.

"The church's tower is already out of bounds because it is unsafe to walk inside, and I don't want any more of the church to become unsafe."

Many of the men took part in the first day of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest moments of the Great War.

As they marched into into No Man's Land -- believing the Germans were dead and victory was within their grasp -- they became the target of enemy gunfire. In just 10 minutes, 235 pals were killed and 350 injured -- partially wiping out a generation of Accrington men.

Mr Robertson said: "They gave their lives for the community and now we want to do something with the church for the community.

"We are determined to succeed. We haven't thought about the down sides or what will happen if we don't get the money. Pessimism doesn't get us anywhere."

The Pals were recruited not just from Accrington, but also Chorley and Burnley.

Hyndburn Council leader Councillor Peter Britcliffe said: "The story of the Accrington Pals is one which never fails to touch people and is one this town is rightly proud of.

"We must all do our part to raise the money needed to help pay for the church's repairs. This, after all, is the home to the memorial of the Pals.

"They gave selflessly and while nothing we can do can match their sacrifice, we should try and do the same."

Mayoress Coun Sandra Hayes said: "I will asking the council to see if they can help.

"Both the Mayor (Coun Doug Hayes) and myself believe it is very important that this church should remain the remembrance place for the Pals.

"The Pals did so much for this town and we have always honoured them.

"We must not forget them now."

Mr Robertson added: "It is a lot of money, but with the community behind us. I hope we can do it."