A weekly newspaper in Lancashire has raised the “amazing” sum of £50,000 to preserve a memorial to a town’s First World War heroes.

The Accrington Pals Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the regiment which was decimated at the Battle of the Somme, is housed in the beautiful and historic St John’s Church in the town.

But the church had to close after falling into disrepair and the future of the Pals Chapel was in doubt – until the Accrington Observer stepped in.

The Observer, part of MEN Weekly Newspapers, launched its Aspire Appeal in October 2007 and the £50,000 target has been reached in just 14 months.

The paper has been deluged with donations ranging from large organisations giving hundreds of pounds to pensioners giving a tenner.

And well-wishers have organised all sorts of fundraising events from sponsored walks and swims to concerts and cricket matches.

The church could now be re-open as early as next summer.

Editor Mervyn Kay said: “This again shows the amazing generosity of our readers. We always knew people would rally round to save a memorial to Accrington’s greatest heroes but we did not know it would happen quite so quickly.

“Everyone has heard of the Pals and people are determined to preserve their memory. The response to the appeal has been phenemonal.”

Delighted church official Andy Shepherd said: “We would like to thank everyone who helped in any way. We are extremely grateful.”

The church will use part of the money for immediate repairs to the roof and spire, making the building watertight for years, and the rest will be spent on preparing a bid for an £85,000 grant from English Heritage.