BARROW MP John Woodcock is cooking up a best pie competition to raise money for the repair of a stained-glass church window that was damaged by stone-throwing vandals.

And he is being joined in the fund-raiser by #TeamFurness volunteers and friends of St George’s church in Barrow which was targeted by thugs in September.

The pie-cooking contest gets underway on Friday, January 18 in St George’s church hall. Some of the finest bakers in Furness will be donning their aprons for the event and judging will be led by Canon Gary Cregeen.

The winning team will travel to Westminster to exhibit their pies as part of the Best of Cumbria event later in the month.

Mr Woodcock said: “It was so deflating to find out that vandals had smashed the 160-year-old stained-glass window which was an important part of Barrow’s ecclesiastical heritage.

“After talking to Canon Cregeen, Vicar of St George’s, we decided to raise some cash towards the repair bill – and to have a bit of fun along the way.

“Furness bristles with excellent bakeries and some of the best in the area have agreed to take part in the pie-making competition. The winners will be announced on the day and I will join them in Westminster on January 23 where they can put their produce on display during the Best of Cumbria event.”

Canon Cregeen said: “After the disappointment of St George’s being targeted by vandals, the empathy, support and encouragement of people like our MP, John Woodcock, has been a huge encouragement to me personally, the St George’s congregation and the wider community for whom St George’s holds a special place in their affections.

“Events such as the pie-cooking competition allows local bakers to demonstrate their culinary skills and make for a fun-filled and ‘tasty’ community occasion!”

Bakers or cooking teams wishing to take part should contact Cassie Curtis-Smith in Mr Woodcock’s office by emailing her at piesatstgeorges@gmail.com or calling 01229 431204 by December 21.

Sellafield Ltd will be sponsoring the Westminster event courier service via Steele’s Removals.

Fund-raiser tickets, priced £5 each, are available from St George’s church, Roose Road, Barrow, or St George’s school in School Street, Barrow.