AN urgent appeal has been launched to save a 14th century church labelled as being “at risk” by English Heritage.

St George’s Church in Great Bromley has been described as at immediate risk of rapid deterioration with the south porch rated as “very bad”.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the church a grant of £54,800 towards porch repairs, which should be carried out in summer 2015, but more donations are needed.

Church warden Gregory Frostick said: “The porch is more than 500 years old and is decaying because water is getting into the ancient stonework and washing away the flint flushwork decoration.

“The buttresses aremoving outwards and cracks are starting to open up and urgent action is needed.

“The people at St George’s are volunteers. We care for the church day to day and plan repair projects.

“We encourage the local community to enjoy St George’s as part of their heritage, and to use it for worship and other events."

The project will be the seventh repair scheme at St George’s since 2000 – the church has had help from The Headley Trust, Essex Environment Trust, Friends of Essex Churches Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation in the past.

Donations can be sent to St George’s Great Bromley Repair Fund c/o 4 St George’s Close, Great Bromley, CO7 7HZ.