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CHURCH CAMPAIGNERS CONTINUE FIGHT

Friends of the 12th Century St Peter's Church, in Swingfield, which was declared redundant six years ago have urged church authorities to halt plans to turn it into a private home.

They have appealed to Church Commissioners to allow them to redevelop it into a community centre.

But the Reverend Martin Short, Chaplain to the Bishop of Dover, said high costs meant the only viable option was to lease the church.

Speaking to the BBC Simone Harrison, of the Friends of St Peter's, said the church was of great historical value to future generations.

Campaigners want to retain the church as a community centre and museum, and keep the graveyard.

This is against the wishes of the church authorities, who want to convert the church into a house and use part of the graveyard as an amenity area.