VOLUNTEERS at West Huntspill's St Peter and All Hallows Church are hosting a range of events this autumn to raise money to repair the church's footpath, which has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Church-goers and visitors are being encouraged to sponsor one of 34 sections of the path for a fee of £10 to allow for the walkway to be re-tarmacked.

David Lemon, church warden at St Peter and All Hallows Church said repairs to the path will cost in excess of £3,000.

"The footpath appeal was started mainly because of the poor state of the path and the potential trip hazard.

"The path runs from the main gates in church road to the north door of the church.

"As well as being the most used entrance to the church it is well used by dog walkers, and ramblers walking from the car park to the sea walls and the coastal path.

"In an attempt to make the entrance to the church more attractive we have decided to plant some daffodil bulbs and to improve the lighting along the north side of the church.

"These improvements come at a cost, the levelling and resurfacing of the path will cost about £3,000 and the improved lighting another £300.

"So far we have raised just over £2,000 from a coffee morning and some very generous donations."

Mr Lemon added that the church is also looking to raise funds to repair the church roof and tower which are both in need of repair.

"The church is now well over 500 years old, and the roof has been there since the Fire in 1878, so both are in need of some major repairs.

"At the same time as these repairs take place it would be nice to bring the church more up to date and make it more usable for the the people of today, and this is something that the lottery fund will insist upon if we are to get their support.

"We are at present in discussion with our architect and Bath and Wells advisers.

"The cost is obviously going to be substantial and will take us a while to raise this money but if we want our lovely village church to survive we must embark on what should be a very exciting chapter in the long history of St Peter and all Hallows Church."

Church volunteers have organised a number of events to help raise the funds for the footpath and to add to the church's roof repair fund.

On Saturday mornings in August from 10.30am until noon there will be a Pop Up Cafe with complimentary tea and cake.

There will also be a children's arts and crafts afternoon every Sunday at the Balliol Hall next to the church.

And on August 13 there will be a jazz picnic on the church lawns from 2pm to 5pm with music from the Panama Jazz Band.

Reverend Tonya Nixon from St Peter and All Hallows Church said “ It really is a jewel of a church.

"To restore it to its full glory funds, need to be raised.

"But more importantly the church needs to become a community space.

"Your thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how it could be used would be really welcomed. "

Tickets for the jazz picnic event cost £5 and can be purchased from the Burnham Tourist Information Centre.

For more information call 01278 787396 or 01278 794927.