A VILLAGE school is rallying round to raise cash for a struggling church.

Winterbourne Valley First School in Winterbourne Abbas has close links with nearby St Mary's Church.

But when they heard that the church was struggling to keep its head above water, parents with youngsters at the school stepped in to organise a sponsored walk as the first of a number of events to boost church funds.

Jacqui Walton, who has organised the walk on Saturday, March 3, said: "The school has quite strong links with the church because it is a church school.

"When we heard that it was having financial problems we decided to try and do something to help."

She said pupils at the school, their families and friends will be setting off from the school at about 11am on March 3 to walk to the church where they hope to form a chain around it.

"Sponsorship forms have gone out to all the pupils but anyone interested in raising money for the church is welcome to join us on the day and make a donation."

Vicar of St Mary's, the Rev Richard Adams, said: "Winterbourne Abbas is having particular problems at the moment and by the end of the year will not be able to pay its share towards the running of the churches in the benefice, which includes those in Martinstown, Winterbourne Steepleton and Compton Valance.

"In the long-term if a church constantly fails to pay its share and there is another church nearby it could be regarded as not being useful any more and could close.

"That's a long way off in the case of St Mary's but it could happen," said Mr Adams.

And he welcomed the support the church was getting from the school.

"It's a great help what the school is doing but more importantly it is a chance for the people of Winterbourne Abbas to get together. And hopefully it will help build up the community spirit."

Anyone interested in joining the sponsored walk on March 3 should go to the school at about 11am for the short walk to the church.