CHURCHGOERS at Shirenewton will be supporting their parish by indulging in retail therapy - thanks to a new fundraising scheme.

Shirenewton Church has created an on-line shopping portal with links to over 100 high street stores to raise funds for maintenance and improvements.

With each store paying the church commission on every purchase, the Shirenewton community is hoping to harness the e-commerce revolution for its own benefit.

The church must raise substantial building funds against a backdrop of falling church attendance, multiple good causes competing for people's compassion and the rising costs of maintaining the historic landmark, built in 1220.

The church congregation needs an extension to provide a facility for other groups as well as itself. The Sunday School group meets at treasurer Kevin Bound's home because of lack of room.

The website has links to over 100 shops including, Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis and Tesco, as well as dotcom giants like Amazon, Dell and Lastminute.com.

Shoppers simply click through from the church website - www.shirenewtonchurch.org.uk - to the shops in question.

The church gets a commission on the order value whilst the service costs the shoppers nothing extra.

David Cornwell, the church's webmaster, said: "People suggest that the competition to church on a Sunday is retail therapy.

"So we like to think we are taking a pragmatic view and, rather than trying to stop people shopping, we are providing a way for people to support the church at the same time."

Mr Bounds added: "We're a thriving community and we need extra space to house a number of different activity groups per week.

"We're in the process of getting planning permission for an extension but funds are what we need and this is a great way to raise them.

"This scheme will make a real difference to us."