A HISTORIC Dartmoor church, more than six centuries old, is seeking friends to help maintain its future.

St Leonard's Church in Sheepstor, like many other moorland communities has seen its regular congregation of worshippers dwindle to a mere handful.

The church is a Grade 1 listed building and the help and support of local people and the wider community is being sought to help maintain the building for the 21st Century.

The building dates back to 1450, although a much earlier chapel is associated with the site as far back as 1280.

A Friends of St Leonard's Church group has recently been set up and is proud to announce that Lord Tanlaw has agreed to be the patron of this new charitable society.

Chairman of the friends, Keith Scrivener of Sheepstor, said: 'We are a secular group of friends who wish to see the church building preserved and utilised by the local community as a benefit to everyone, while still retaining it as a place of worship.

'We have already held a musical concert in the church and we are planning a calendar of arts, social events and a local historical collection as additional attractions to the building.'

Anyone wishing to become a friend of the church can contact membership secretary Tim MacDonald on 01822 854884 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] for more details about donations and events.