ONE of the major churches in Whitehaven will be undergoing repairs following some hair-raising inspection work. 

St James' Church, which is located on High Street, is set for repairs after it was noticed that part of the structure was damaged. 

A wooden feature on the tower had become damaged by the wind, which had come to the attention of the church wardens. 

On Thursday, February 29, the team at Cumbria Access and Maintenance Solutions in Barrow-in-Furness came to inspect the Grade II listed building. 

A member of the team abseiled from the historic tower to inspect the potential damage.

Whitehaven News: The team inspect the towerThe team inspect the tower (Image: Cumbria Access and Maintenance Solutions)

Kate Moore, company director, said: "We're having a look at the windows at the top which have the wooden slats in. 

"The church staff got in touch to say they were loose as they didn't want them falling and causing any more damage or hitting anybody who might be walking by. 

"We're here to do a quick check and see the work that might need doing, we'll then get in touch."

The church was built in 1752-53 and is an example of the Georgian architecture of the era. 

It has been regularly maintained over the centuries and is the main Anglican church in Whitehaven. 

Whitehaven News: The team abseil down the towerThe team abseil down the tower (Image: Cumbria Access and Maintenance Solutions)

Reverend Alison Dobell added: "We've got an abseiler here today and they've come to inspect the structure and see what repairs they'll be able to do.

"It was only last week when the churchwardens went up that we'd noticed that the wooden structure was damaged.

"If the one at the front, on the west end of the church falls out then that's a concern, however, that one seems to be fine. The focus now is on repairing the one that's damaged. 

"I think it's important that we maintain the building. It's a graded Georgian building, and of course, an old building takes a lot of maintenance.

"I think it's important for the heritage of the town that St James' Church is taken care of as it's the main church in Whitehaven, a lot of people still come to it.

"We hold a lot of funerals and baptisms in here."