A WORCESTER church’s campaign to restore its historic clock has won £2,000 in a national competition.

The Just a Minute appeal - run by St George's Church in Barbourne - was one of five runners-up in the Ecclesiastical and Church Times fundraising idea of the year contest, which attracted a record 424 entries from churches across the UK.

The campaign asks the people of Worcester to sponsor a minute on the clock for a minimum donation of £10, stating why that time is special to them such as when they were born, started school or got married.

Ten members from the church travelled to London on Wednesday (November 25) for the prize-giving lunch at St Martin-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square, to collect their £2,000 cheque.

John Butterworth, a reader at the church who is in charge of the appeal publicity, said: “We had a great day out and it was fantastic for St George’s to reach the final of such a prestigious competition.

“This prize takes our total to £10,500, more than two thirds of the way towards the £15,000 target in only five months.”

Judges said of the Worcester church’s entry: “Your idea of Just a Minute was ingenious and consequently won a well-deserved runners-up award.”

Competition organiser Mike Hayward said the contest had had four times more entries than ever before.

He added: “This competition is about celebrating those Christian faith communities who have been successful and sharing their ingenious, innovative or simply incredible fundraising ideas more widely.”

The £10,000 winner was St Elizabeth of Hungary, Aspull, near Wigan, with its worm charming idea.

Experts have told St George’s Parochial Church Council that the 24-inch and 3cwt 1830 clock on the Worcester church, which stopped working more than a year ago, needs a complete overhaul, the face re-gilded and an automatic winding and auto regulation system installed.

Supporters aim to raise the raise the funds through individual donations and grants as well as the Just a Minute idea.

The Barbourne church is planning to produce a large book about the project including each story and the name of the sender and will be publishing each story online at friendsofstgeorges.co.uk

For more details or to sponsor a minute: write to the treasurer at 2 Ogilvy Square, Worcester, WR3 7LU with a story of no more than 100 words; email justaminute@friendsofstgeorges.co.uk making cheques payable to The Friends of Saint George’s Church; or visit friendsofstgeorges.vaporum.com