A GROUP of Mormon missionaries have donated more than £15,000 to help save the bell tower at St Michael and All Angels Parish Church in Hawkshead.

In 1979 the missionaries, based in Manchester, came to the Lake District for a day out.

They visited the church in Hawkshead and were greeted by the incumbent Vicar, Reverend Norman Scott.

In 2016, one of those mission members, Brent Brown was visiting the Lakes, with his wife, for the first time since 1979.

He came across leaflets and information about the campaign to raise funds for the Bell Tower.

Brent Brown was inspired and galvanised to do something to repay the kindness shown all those years ago and so got in touch with fundraiser Dawn Bonham.

On return to the USA Mr Brown set about getting in touch with all those who were there 38 years ago and started to contribute to the fundraising campaign.

They raised more than £15,000 and contributed to the fund this year.

Ms Bonham said: "This is a superbly generous gesture by people who have felt inspired to support us from a great distance of time and geography!

"We are delighted with this incredible donation from the Church of the Latter Day Saints. This celebrates all that we share in ecumenical terms. This donation puts us much closer to our target and we are extremely grateful for all they have done."

For further information, contact Dawn Bonham on dbtowerproject @gmail.com