AN appeal has been launched to help restore a school chapel built to honour former students killed in the First World War - in time for next year's 100th anniversary of the end of the conflict.

People who used to attend Wellington School are being asked to raise £10,000 to repair the windows in the listed building.

Money left over from a previous appeal to restore the chapel ceiling has been used for remedial work on a number of windows, but further funds are needed to complete the job.

Old Wellingtons Association chairman Caroline Heaton said: "After 80 years, six of the chapel windows required significant maintenance.

"Remedial maintenance work to three of the windows has been completed during the last two summers, with a further two more scheduled for work during the school summer holidays.

"As a listed building, each window requires great care and attention to ensure a high level of quality stonemasonry and glass are sourced, the latter of which is now only made in France.

"The cost for each window is approximately £7,500 to bring it back to its former glory and for it to last many more decades.

"There is just over £5,000 left in the Chapel Fund and we have recently received a generous anonymous donation which will cover the cost of one of the remaining windows.

"This leaves us tantalisingly close to completing the building project in time for the 2018 commemoration events marking the end of the First World War One."

The chapel was built and paid for by pioneering headmaster George Corner and former students to remember Old Boys killed in the Great War of 1914 to 1918.

A further £10,000 is needed to complete the renovation work and any surplus money raised will be shared between a permanent chapel fund and the school's Corner Capital Fund to support three projects for current students.

For further details contact Juliet Handley on 01823-668858 or e-mail development@wellington-school.org.uk