A COMPUTER company is helping swell the coffers of a £1.5 million appeal for the building of a new church and parish centre.

PC World Business has donated £500 in support of a planned church and community building to be established in the town.

When eventually constructed on land currently occupied by St Francis House at Hebburn Drive, Brandlesholme, the building will provide a new home for the congregation of All Saints Church, Elton.

The church closed in the mid-1990s due to dry rot and since then worshippers have joined the congregation at their daughter church, St Francis House, for services.

That building will eventually be demolished to make way for a new £1.5 million church and parish centre which will serve the local community. Rev Stuart Millington, priest in charge of the All Saints Parish, said: "The £1.5 million required is based on estimates.

"The church and parish centre will replace the present St Francis Church and the old All Saints."

He added: "Some time ago, it was decided not to repair the old church but to rebuild and replace both All Saints and St Francis with a single building.

"It's quite an ambitious project and it's very exciting. So far, we've collected £322,582 towards the total. That's the amount raised and pledged to date."

Rev Millington continued: ''We just won't be providing a new church, but also a facility for the community within Brandlesholme and Woodhill.

"There is no large-scale community facility in that area at present but we hope to plug that gap and provide for people of all ages throughout the community."

PC World Business, which presented the cheque, is part of the Dixons Group.

PC marketing director, Richard Millman said; "Dixons has a strong commitment to investing in the communities in which it is based.

"PC World Business has gone from strength to strength since we opened up our headquarters in Bury. So, we wanted to give something back."

He went on: "We are delighted to be supporting the new All Saints Church and parish community centre and to know that our donation to this worthy project will make a real difference to so many local lives."