A village church that has just celebrated 900 years since its consecration has launched a search for new friends to help it pass 1,000 years at the heart of its community.

St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge, is holding a special public meeting in a local pub. It wants to look at forming a Friends group to harness the good will many local people have towards the church.

Mike Fooks, a life-long Sandridge resident and a member of the church’s parochial church council, is organising the event.

He said: "Today, St Leonard’s is a thriving church that seeks to serve the wider community in many ways. But the long-term future of any historic building is not guaranteed. They need care and repair, and maintenance costs continue to rise.

"I know people locally and further afield who have connections to St Leonard’s spanning generations.

"Many would like to support the on-going fabric of the church without necessarily taking part in its religious aspects. We are encouraging the community to step in now to preserve much that we hold precious."

Anyone who like to know more about being involved with the Friends of St Leonard’s group is invited to the informal ‘information sharing and ideas’ workshop at the Rose and Crown, High Street, Sandridge, on Sunday March 29th at 7.30 pm.

More information from Mike Fooks on 07767 000836 or email: friendsofstleonards@yahoo.co.uk