REV David Wilson spotted a crack in the 200ft Christchurch spire and started a full scale safety alert evacuating residents from 18 nearby homes. The drama continues this week as safety experts decide what to do with the dangerous tower.

Parishoners didn't let the church closure stop Sunday worship as the spirit of the Blitz returned to Oxton.

Friendly staff at Williamson Art Gallery hosted bewildered residents when the alert sounded on Friday as high winds threatened to topple the spire.

Wirral Council put an emergency plan into action finding accommodation for the evacuees. Sunday worship took place in the church school with the congregation praying that they can soon return to their homes and that the steeple can be kept and saved.

The drama also didn't spoil the birthday celebration of one evacuated youngster, Georgina Patterson, who celebrated her fourth party in Birkenhead's Central Hotel.

Roads in the area have been closed as building control officers and church architects decide what to do with the steeple.

Ironically, the big question mark over the steeple arises as Christchurch celebrates its 149th anniversary.

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