A campaign has been launched by villagers near Bradford on Avon to save their medieval church from closure.

The 12th century Church of St Mary the Virgin at Westwood is being threatened with closure because donations from parishioners have almost dried up.

Ian Richardson, treasurer of Westwood Parochial Church Council, said they have raised only £900 from donations in recent months.

Mr Richardson, 67, said: “It cost us £24,000 in 2020 to keep the building open and running, including the cost of Christian ministry here.

“We receive around £11,000 a year in donations so we still need to raise a minimum of at least £13,000 every year.

“Westwood Church is a charity and receives no outside financial support at all so it’s down to us. Without your help, you may lose it.”

Mr Richardson says only 10 to 12 parishioners regularly attend services at the Grade 1 listed church, which dates from 1265.

“They are mostly elderly people. We need some new blood, people who are much younger, to keep it going.

“The church is part of the fabric of the people, much like the pub and the village shop. Do villagers really want to see it closed? The answer is no.”

Mr Richardson, of The Laurels, is a retired banking manager with Lloyds. He and other members of the Westwood PCC have launched a ‘Save Our Church’ campaign.

He was speaking as the village staged its annual summer fete in the grounds of Westwood Manor, the church, and in the Parish Room next to the church, on the August Bank Holiday Monday.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is used for weddings, christenings and funerals, and for regular Sunday worship.

It is also an inspirational and fun resource for pupils at the Westwood with Iford Primary School.

The medieval church is always open to visitors and locals who wish to spend a few moments of peace and calm within its walls.

But the PCC has to pay for the services of Reverend Canon Joanna Abecassis, the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon, also is also the vicar at Westwood.

If the donations dry up, the PCC will be unable to afford her services, except on special occasions.

The less use the church has, the more likely it is that the Salisbury Diocese will eventually close it for good, as it would be uneconomic to keep it open.

Scores of residents attended the Westwood summer fete, which raised a magnificent £3,487 towards church funds.

Activities and attractions included a tombola, raffle, toys and games, pot pourri, a plant sale, book stalls, a cake stall, coconut shy, hoopla and skittles.

There was a floral display in the church and the Parish Room volunteers served tea, coffee and cakes throughout the afternoon.