AT a time when religious differences are making daily news, it is heartening to see the Dursley community firmly backing its parish church.

An ambitious £335,000 project to make the church fit for work in the 21st century was launched on Sunday when St James the Great was packed with people from throughout the town - all confirming commitment to "their" church.

Rector the Rev Janet Bromley's "call to the community" has certainly been taken seriously.

But Sunday's service was a celebration as well as a call to arms and with a number of VIP guests and a delicious buffet tea, there was definitely a party atmosphere.

But with the niceties over, it is now time to get down to serious work.

The vision behind the five-year plan is to build bridges between the community and the church and to encourage all the people of Dursley to regard St James the Great as their own place of worship, support care and love.

To do this the church needs a new roof and updated community facilities.

There is no doubt that £335,000 is a great deal of money to raise. Over the next few years everyone in Dursley must play their part to ensure that this 800-year-old listed building can meet the complex needs of a modern world.