AN historic Bury church has been removed from an “at risk” register after undergoing a major £150,000 restoration programme.

The work, carried out last year at Christ Church Walshaw, was made possible thanks to a grant of about £100,000 from English Heritage.

Now, the High Street building and six other Greater Manchester churches have been taken off English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk register.

Earlier, they had spent years suffering in poor condition.

Other vital funding for the restoration of Christ Church came via separate grants and fundraising carried out by the church and parishioners.

The restoration project started last summer and was completed in the autumn.

The Rev Steven Foster, who has been vicar for the past 20 years, said: “We did repair work to high level masonry which was dangerous and large rain water pipes were taken down and some replaced.”

The church’s distinctive west window was also restored and put back in with protective sheeting. Additional work involved widening the gateway entrance.

Rev Foster added: “The work has been really important and it’s good that the church is no longer at risk. We know the building is secure and the west window looks much more attractive now.”

The Grade II building was designed in 1888 and constructed to accommodate between 500 and 600 worshippers. Built in one phase, the church was completed in 1891 and dedicated by the Bishop of Manchester a year later.

Although Christ Church has been removed from the “at risk” register, English Heritage say there are still 82 historic buildings and areas at risk in Greater Manchester.