FUNDRAISING to repair the damaged ceiling continues at a church in Poole.

Skinner Street United Reformed Church need to carry out "essential" work at a cost in the region of £40,000.

Scaffolding is currently in place in the church to allow the maintenance to take place.

The church has received grants from the Dorset Historic Churches Trust and the United Reformed Church to enable the work to start, but £10,000 still needs to be found.

A cream tea event has been organised for Saturday August 19 from 3pm to 4.30pm at the church for £3.50 per person.

The event is an opportunity to explore the building, which has been in Poole since 1777.

Gail Nuttall, treasurer of Skinner Street United Reformed Church, said the event was not just for regular visitors to the church.

"We encourage anybody who is interested in supporting our efforts to repair the church to come to the event. Everyone is welcome," she said.

"The repair of the ceiling is essential to the stability of the building and so that we can make it a valuable part of the local community.

"The church is a great venue for music and concert events, but until the work is complete we're unable to put these sort of activities on.

"The support from Dorset Historic Churches Trust and the United Reformed Church has been incredible. We still need to raise the remaining money and we have a series of events in the pipeline."