AN appeal is being started to raise £150,000 for a church on Mersea Island which dates back more than 1,000 years.

Fundraising group, the Friends of West Mersea Parish Church, will be launched on Saturday.

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is used as a landmark by sailors on the River Blackwater, but needs repairs to keep it accessible to the public.

Work is required to repair medieval windows, there is damp plaster and beetles in roof trusses, and it needs general decoration.

Kathy Bowman, who has helped to found the friends, called on islanders to come forward to ensure the community can use the church in the future.

She said: “A church has been on that site since 600AD and parts of it have been there since 960AD.

“It’s right in the middle of the town – it’s the thing you see and the town surrounds it.

“I’m not part of the congregation, but I think that it’s an amazing building.

“It’s not terribly ornate, but it is beautiful and it needs a huge amount of restoration.

“It’s been a lot work, but I think it’s going to be so exciting.”

The church is a mix of periods, featuring Tudor roof trusses, with historical artefacts such as a stone coffin lid from the 13th century and 15th century wall paintings found inside.

Fundraising this year has already produced £19,000 for the appeal, while the church’s parishioners, led by the rector, Sam Norton, have also previously raised money for restoration.

The church will be open for tours of the tower, along with stalls and information, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday.

Local musicians will play folk music and sea shanties from 7.30pm to offer a taste of future monthly events.

For more information about the event or to join the friends, visit fwmpc.org.uk or call 01206 383222.