Campaigners have launched a £20,000 fundraising appeal to help restore a historic lychgate at a landmark Dudley church.

Members of the St John’s Church Preservation Group will be submitting a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for some of the cash needed to fund the repairs.

The lychgate, which dates back to 1840, is a covered gateway at the entrance to the church.

Group members are hoping to raise the rest through donations and activities such as a regular Saturday stall in Dudley Market Place. The preservation group, which is fighting to re-open the church, is also appealing for more volunteers to come forward to help with the fundraising work.

The church in Kates Hill, the last resting place of famed bare-knuckle fighter William Perry, the Tipton Slasher, closed in 2002 due to safety fears.

Group chairman Deb Brownlee said that a bid for a contribution to help fund the lychgate restoration was being prepared for the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Mrs Brownlee said: “The preservation group has been able to allocate £1,500 towards the project which will pay for the architect, and donations are sought towards the rest of the costs as HLF like to see local effort in addition to any contribution they may make.

“HLF funds are extremely oversubscribed, many bids have to be turned down and there is no guarantee that St John’s bid will be successful. Therefore local involvement could be a deciding factor so again we urge people to come forward as volunteer helpers and fundraisers for the preservation group.”

It is expected to cost £150,000 to 200,000 to get the building reopened and up to £1million to restore it completely.

The group suffered a blow to its plans to re-open the church on a part-time basis after it was told it could not get insurance. But it continues to talk to church leaders and a specialist conservation architect for advice.

To volunteer, contact St John’s Church Preservation Group, The Old School House, St John’s Road, Dudley, DY2 7JTT.

For more details visit www.savestjohns church.zoomshare.com