X Factor-style auditions are to be held to find an organist for a village church.

With less than three months until Christmas, Rector Gary Owen at St Martin's Church, in Eynsford, is keen to avoid singing along to an iPod selection of Christmas carols.

He said: "Organists are as rare as hen's teeth, and quite often good organists are already playing in a church.

"The rarity got us thinking though, if we can't find an experienced church organist through the usual channels, then maybe we should try to encourage someone who hasn't had the chance to do this before.

"i can't offer them a judge's house in dubai, just a friendly welcome" – rector gary owen

"If we have enough applicants we could hold auditions, but I can't offer them a judge's house in Dubai, just a friendly welcome into a warm community of people for whom music and the church is the ultimate reward."

Mr Owen said declining numbers of organists nationwide have affected many congregations, with rural villages suffering in particular.

Some churches, he said, have had to resort to singing along karaoke-style to the rector's iPod – something Mr Owen is keen to avoid.

He said: "We're looking for an organist and music director to accompany the choir in our Sunday service and to help us expand our repertoire.

"We'd like to enlarge our musical canon and play more new music along with the traditional tunes. We want someone with energy and passion, and ideally we'd love someone in place by Christmas."

The choir is currently relying on the goodwill of various organists to keep their music live, narrowly avoiding the iPod route.

The organist, who will require dexterity of both feet and fingers, will be paid £3,000 a year with funeral and wedding fees of £75 per service.

To apply, contact the Rev Owen on 01322 863050 or email eflrector@googlemail.com.