CHURCH principals are appealing for sponsors for stained glass windows in the new Blackburn Cathedral tower.

Several businesses including Europrint Promotions Ltd, AMS Neve, British Aerospace, the Scapa Group and Cobble have pledged to support the £750,000 appeal to re-build and enhance the lantern tower through a Business Sponsorship of the Arts .

Now other businesses, community groups, schools and individuals are being invited to sponsor one, or part of one of the 56 hand-made stained glass windows designed for the new tower.

The "spikey" tower built in 1967 has not stood the test of time - it has a leaking roof, the artificial stone cladding has eroded and the stained glass has had to be removed for safety reasons.

The new tower will be built using traditional methods and natural stone.

Appeal director Penelope Worsley believes the stained glass window project will unite the community.

She said: "It is an exciting idea and we hope that groups will come together to raise money for the stained glass.

"There could be an equestrian window, a Rotary, a flower club, a Lancashire Regiment or a schools of Lancashire window."

A whole window will cost £5,000, half a panel £2,500 or £1,250 for a quarter.

Two community panels will be set aside for those wishing to contribute upwards of £20.

Mrs Worsley added: "With the warmth of vision and involvement that this idea will perpetuate, the stained glass of the Lantern Tower will soon be a reality of which everyone will be proud.

"This beacon of light will be a focus for economic, environmental and social regeneration."

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