RESIDENTS have raised hundreds of pounds to support the maintenance of their picturesque town church.

More than £500 has been raised by residents in Longtown after a call to action was put out on Facebook in the hopes of raising money to contribute towards the maintenance of Arthuret Church.

Marie Ketterick organised the fundraising drive with the help of Julie Skelton.

Marie said: “There’s no events or weddings, they are getting no money really in the savings pot - I just thought anything we get will be a help for them.

“We’re currently at £550 just now.”

They haven’t been actively fundraising, the donations have come from a strength of feeling from people in Longtown who are keen to see their church be open to future generations.

It has great sentimental value to everybody.

“The people in Longtown are so generous, we are quite a close knit community,” said Marie.

“It’s hundreds of years old and it’s the only church that we have got open now for funerals.

“It would be absolutely awful if anything happened to it.”

Arthuret Church is also a pocket of tranquility in Longtown.

“It’s a nice place to go as well,” said Marie.

“Everybody goes for a walk to the church yard, there won’t be many people who haven’t been in nice weather.”

In response to the outpouring of support from the community, Rev. Brett Murphy wrote a post on Longtown Through the Years explaining where the money goes and why it is vital to the upkeep of the church.

It will be used to maintain the Grade one listed building and allow weddings, christenings, and funerals to continue taking place within it.

He wrote: “I just wanted to post this little note to say a huge thank you for the very kind and generous initiative which has sprung up to support Arthuret church.”