LEADERS at a picturesque East Yorkshire church will consider applying for lottery and heritage funding in a bid to keep it going.

The congregation at St Helen's Church, at Kilnwick Percy, near Pocklington, met yesterday to discuss the future of the building, which could be under threat.

The building, described by church historians as "an architectural gem" has suffered some damage and is in immediate need of repair.

But those costs, which could also include longer-term restoration, may top more than £5,000.

The church, which holds only six services a year, was originally built in the 12th century and could close in the face of the repair costs.

But a meeting of the congregation, following the traditional Rogationside service, saw a consensus emerge to try and save the church.

An ancient service, the Rogation is a tradition which sees the congregation walk outside into fields to ask for a fruitful harvest. St Helen's churchwarden, Robert Bird, said attempts would be made to set up a restoration trust which would be looking to apply for heritage grants and funding from the national lottery.

He said that all efforts would be made to keep the church, which was rebuilt in the 1860s, open.

But he conceded that there was a lot of hard work ahead.

"We are trying to get enough of the community together," Mr Bird said. "If we can form another group, like a "Friends Of" organisation, then we could chase the lottery and try to get some funding in.

"We looked at what everyone's views were and most of those who attended the meeting agreed that we wanted to keep it open.

"We are also looking at holding another meeting and asking an architect to

attend."

Updated: 10:16 Monday, May 26, 2003