A PLEA to help a Rowley Regis church cope with its over-grown churchyard received a “tremendous” response after it featured in last week’s News.

Vicar of St Giles Rev Ian Shelton had appealed for helpers to cut through the 6ft high grass which had grown out of control.

Offenders, who had previously maintained the churchyard through the Community Payback Scheme, had been unable to do the work due to staff shortages and it was too big a job for the largely ageing congregation.

Rev Shelton said the effect of the article had been “tremendous” in galvanising people into action.

He said: “Someone turned up with a mower on Saturday and did valuable work, Tesco in Rowley Village are ‘recruiting’ help, and an issue which was becoming very destructive and divisive has become one where the community is pulling together.”

People are asked to go along to help cut the grass on Saturday July 12 from 10am.