A CHURCH has found itself at the centre of a battle between Japan and America -- fighting it out to win a set of stained glass windows!

The vicar of Christ Church, Accrington, the Rev Kevin Logan, has been approached by a firm representing an American church interested in buying the stained glass windows, which were advertised for sale on the internet earlier this year.

The windows were first put up for sale earlier this year to help pay for a new community centre amid a storm of protest by historians.

A Japanese firm has already offered to buy the coloured windows -- made for the church by famous local families like the Bulloughs -- but has only offered £40,000 for them.

Mr Logan believes they are worth nearer £250,000 -- the cost of building them today.

He said: "We advertised the sale on the internet and a firm contacted us. They are dealing with stained glass windows for the Houses of Parliament.

"They say they have a new church being built in the USA which is very keen on our windows.

"We are just hoping we get a better bid." Christ Church is still waiting for approval from the diocesan chancellor before the sale goes ahead.

It is possible that a meeting of the church council may be called to discuss the sale.

A poll taken at a Sunday service in the church revealed 92 per cent of parishioners favoured the sale. New memorials would be created for the families who donated the windows.

Mr Logan added: "People just walk past these windows and they cannot be seen from the road.

"The community needs this new facility. We have more than 470 children on a waiting list for an after-school club and we also have a lot of old, single people so the need for a luncheon club is obvious."

The local historical society is opposing the sale, saying it is like selling off Accrington's past.