IT could be the script from an edition of Father Ted. Faced with the need to raise £1.5 million to renovate the structure of a 14th century Coventry parish church, the vicar this week decided to hire out the 230 ft spire as a giant advertising billboard in the sky. Advertising agencies and local businesses are "very interested" in the offer of a spire for hire. Proposals have been received from food, motor and clothing companies to merchandise the sky high scaffolding with talk of projecting laser images on to giant screens attached to the structure.

The vicar, however, will be the arbitrator on appropriateness. Raunchy advertising, such as the Wonderbra poster featuring the undeniable charms of blond model Eva Herzigova, is unlikely to gaze down from this God like elevation. According to the vicar, "I'm not sure who she is. While we need the money, I suspect it would not be suitable".