A centuries-old Lancashire church facing an uncertain future has been given a miraculous lifeline after a hidden cache of gold coins worth almost £30,000 was discovered beneath its altar. The unexpected donation has provided fresh hope for a congregation that had feared the historic place of worship could eventually be forced to close.
The remarkable discovery was made at St Wilfrid's Church in the village of Melling while preparations were underway for a Good Friday service earlier this year. What initially appeared to be an ordinary plastic bag concealed beneath the altar turned out to contain nine gold Britannia coins and a handwritten note from an anonymous benefactor.
