A VALE fishmonger is hoping a huge halibut could help preserve an ancient church's crumbling bell tower near Inkberrow.

Harry Dyke, a fourth-generation fishmonger from Bishampton, is hoping to raise funds for the Abbots Morton Bell Tower Appeal with a 'Guess the Weight of the Halibut' competition.

The 18-year-old has ordered a huge halibut which is due to arrive at Hillers Fish Shop tomorrow.

He was hoping for a Porbeagle shark, but at the moment the sharks are considered an endangered species in European Union  waters.

As previously reported, the Grade I-listed St Peter's Church, in Abbots Morton, near Inkberrow, needs £40,000 to repair the top of the crumbling stonework on its 14th Century bell tower.

Mr Dyke said: "I'm keen to support the very worthwhile cause to raise £40,000 for the Abbots Morton Bell Tower and this is a good opportunity to help."

Big fish are no strangers to the Hillers Fish Shop after they had a 40 kilogram halibut on their slab sourced from the Norwegian coast after strong winds prevented fishing off Whitby last month.

The winner of the guess the weight competition will get a hamper donated by Hillers which will include some halibut steaks.

For more information visit abbotsmortonbelltower.co.uk.