THE prayers of a small congregation at a historic country church are beginning to be answered.

United Utilities says it is keeping faith with the future by donating £1,000 to help preserve the remote Dalehead Church in the Forest of Bowland, near Clitheroe.

The church once stood a mile away but was forced to move, complete with the graves of 150 people, to make way for Stocks reservoir.

The bodies were exhumed from the graveyard in the 1920s in the middle of the night behind under the cover of hessian screens and the replacement building was consecrated in 1938 as a mortuary chapel.

Its supporters are seeking grant aid to help with repairs to restore it as a tourist attraction as well as a place of worship.

"As the church was forced to move by our predecessors, The Fylde Water Board, we are happy to help launch the trust," said Ian Grindy, United Utilities Bowland team leader.

The company also supports the idea of a picturesque 'green trail,' skirting the reservoir and linking the church with the site of the original, which is still above water.

He added: "The trust will devote part of the church to heritage displays to attract visitors."

The Rector of Slaidburn, the Rev Mark Russell-Smith, priest at St Andrew's Parish Church, holds monthly services at Dalehead between Easter and Christmas.