A church spire which dominates the local landscape is to be saved, thanks to the generosity and hard work of villagers in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

From busking days to Bollywood nights, fundraisers have collected £33,760 to repair the tower and clock faces of St Mary’s Church, beating the £30,000 target in just eight months.

The announcement was made by the Rev Michael Burley during an Easter Service on Sunday. Work on the church started on Tuesday and is expected to last six weeks.

The Save our Spire Appeal was launched last September, with a round of ‘urban golf’ as part of Burley Festival.

Fundraising events have ranged from a Bollywood night and jewellery swap to beetle drives and coffee mornings. People were encouraged to sponsor one of the 300 tiles on the spire and a recent talents scheme, which saw congregation members given £5 to invest and make a profit, raising more than £3,000.

The gothic architecture of St Mary’s Church has towered over Burley in Wharfedale since 1843. But the metal core holding the spire together has corroded, leaving the tiles attached only by cement. The structure will be taken down and rebuilt to last another 150 years.

Mr Burley, who busked in Ilkley as part of the talents scheme, said the congregation was delighted and very thankful for the support of the community.

A service of thanksgiving for the appeal and repair work, attended by the new Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, is planned for the evening of Sunday, June 19.