By Hayley Robinson

An ap-peal-ing campaign has been launched by the country's last surviving chalk-built church.

For more than 30 years the four bells in the tower at St James' at Bicknor have remained silent due to fears the vibrations caused by ringing would damage the wooden beams they are attached to and send them crashing to the ground.

But it's hoped the bells will soon start ringing again after residents began a campaign three months ago to raise the estimated £35,000 needed to restore the beams and repair the mortar of the inner facing walls in the tower.

A craft fair held in the church in September raised more than £400 for the appeal but a similar event held in November only raised £82 due to treacherous conditions caused by the snow.

Resident Liz Yardley said: "There were 15 stalls selling all sorts of things such as jewellery, oil paintings, handmade cards and stained glass but we only had about 12 visitors due to the weather.

"The church has a two-ring stove so we were able to serve mulled wine, tea and coffee and everyone who did come said they had a wonderful time.

"The two fairs raised £500 but we've got to raise at least £15,000 ourselves before anyone will even look at giving us a grant.

"We are looking at all sorts of ways of raising the money. We only have 30 houses in the village but we've managed to raise a choir - which is a first in living history. We also plan to hold another craft fair sometime in the spring."

The church only holds four services a year - Christingle, Parochial, Harvest and Easter - and as there is no electricity or gas supply, lighting is provided by candles and oil lamps and heat is via gas heaters.

Ms Yardley added: "This church is a part of Kent's history and we are very proud of it.

"The campaign is really bringing the community together - whether people are religious or not they all want to be a part of it.

"It will be the most wonderful day when we do get the bells ringing."