A Whitehaven church is celebrating after its organ was granted special status.

The organ in the Whitehaven United Reformed Church, in James Street, has been listed by the British Institute of Organ Studies in the Grade II category for being a “particularly important” instrument of “more than special interest”.

Reverend Dave Harkison said: “We’re delighted to have this honour of having an organ listed.

“We knew it was much along the same lines as the organ that was at St Nicholas’ in town which is sadly no longer there due to fire.

“We knew we had a really important organ and that’s been proven by getting this status.”

The instrument is an example of the multum-in-parvo style built by Harrison & Harrison in the early 20th century under the influence of Lt Col George Dixon, assisted by Edinburgh organist Alfred Hollins.

It is one of a number of organs in the area from that era, along with instruments at St Bees Priory, St Nicholas’ and St James’ in Whitehaven and St Leonard’s in Cleator.

The United Reformed Church’s organ incorporated the same bold thinking as the St Nicholas’ instrument, albeit on a reduced scale.

Director of music Mike Farrer and Andrew Caskie of Nicholson Organs, who is one of Mike’s predecessors, worked hard to secure the status.

Mike said: “This is probably the best example of their work at the time.

“We think the organ was personally voiced; the sound the organ produces was personally overseen by Arthur Harrison, the founder of Harrison & Harrison.

“Because of that the sound the organ makes is exceptional.

“The instrument is being used in the church, for large civic services and for the community.”

Mike said the status will make it easier to secure funding to maintain the organ and, eventually, for a full restoration back to its 1906 state.

A full series of recitals are planned to give the opportunity to listen to the instrument, with details to be released at www.urcwhitehavenmusic.co.uk.