An award-winning TV presenter has visited a Kent church ahead of its multimillion-pound transformation.

BBC Sport and Channel 4 host Clare Balding took a trip to Tenterden last night.

The 53-year-old was invited to St Mildred's Church in the town's high street.

Plans were first put forward in 2018 to upgrade and extend the 12th century building.

Up to £2.2 million is to be spent on the project, which, once complete, will ensure the nave offers a vast space for concerts, exhibitions and conferences in a bid to draw people in from the wider community.

Construction will begin in January and will see the church shut for approximately seven months.

Mrs Balding attended at the request of the church's fundraising committee to oversee an auction to raise funds for the scheme.

A total of 250 people were in attendance during the evening to see the BBC Sports Personality of the Year presenter.

Rev Lindsay Hammond said: "Clare was fantastic and Andrew Hynard put in another great shift as host.

"We all left the church buzzing at the end of a brilliant evening, which was, as usual, beautifully organised by the St Mildred's Transformation Project fundraising team."

Meanwhile, Tenterden Town Mayor, Sue Ferguson, added: "It was very good.

"The church is closing in January so it's amazing to see A-list celebrities come and support us and the project.

"[So] a huge thank you to all the individuals and businesses who generously donated prizes for the raffle and auction.

"Your support means so much. And a special thank you to Clare for coming to Tenterden – we really appreciate it!

"I wonder who we are going to have next?!"

Mrs Balding, who was born in Hampshire and awarded an MBE in 2013, is widely known for her sports broadcasting work.

She is also one of several hosts of the BBC’s Olympics coverage, including at this year's games in Paris.

In 2011, she walked a section of ancient track of the Pilgrim's Way between Chilham and Wye as part of her programme, Ramblings, on BBC Radio 4.

She also visited Port Lympne in 2017 in her appearance on genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are?

Mrs Balding's trip to Tenterden also comes just five months after Absolutely Fabulous star, Joanna Lumley, attended an auction at the church.

The 78-year-old was joined by Bargain Hunt's Tim Wonnacott for the event on May 28.