A church in Abingdon is calling on parishioners to dig deep and help raise £90,000.

St Helen's Church needs the money to help pay for the restoration of its organ and for the final phase of its renewal programme.

It cost £250,000 to overhaul the organ but the expected income from grants and the Sponsor a Pipe project has fallen short and another £18,000 is needed.

The discovery of asbestos in the old boiler room has added to the church's financial problems because building a new entrance has cost more than expected.

The total shortfall for both projects is £90,000.

Interest-free loans from individual parishioners will cover the cost but the money has to be paid back and now the church is calling on parishioners to pull together for one more final effort.

Vice chairman of the fundraising group, Rod Hunt, said the renewal project must not be allowed to stall through lack of funds.

He has called on parishioners to give either help or prayers.

Mr Hunt said: "Not everyone can donate time or money but what would be a tremendous help would be the goodwill of people.

"We are calling on everyone to make it part of their fellowship to hold a positive, supportive and kindly attitude to those endeavours. We are asking people to pray for the work of the fundraising group and to ask for a successful outcome to the efforts of all those involved in the work."

The church renewal programme is a three-phase project. The first, costing £450,000 for new under floor heating, a new sanctuary and internal alterations, was completed last year.

The organ was the second phase and part three is creating a new north entrance through the old exchequer room. Work has started but new toilets and an archive room may have to be postponed until the cash target is reached.

The restored organ was back in action on Sunday at a rededication service.

Director of music David Wickens played a selection of works and there were anthems from the church choir. The frame has been moved and now stands six feet further into the body of the church.

The instrument itself, dating from the 1920s, was restored and the wooden case built in 1716 has been installed around it.

On Monday evening there was a special 40th ordination celebration for the vicar of St Helen's the Rev Michael Goode. Among the congregation were 80 visitors from churches where Mr Goode served before coming to Abingdon in 1993.

His first parish was in Sunderland followed by Solihull, Fladbury in the Vale of Evesham, Kidderminster and Crawley in Sussex.

Mr Goode, 65, retires in October and he and his wife Jenny will move to Worcester.