A GROUP is being set up to promote the use of St Michael's Church in Princetown as a community venue.

The church, which was built by French and American prisoners of war around 1810, has fallen out of use over the last six years but has been renovated and taken on by the Church Conservation Trust (TCCT) to administer.

TCCT policy seeks greater use of its churches for events and community use and states they should be open for visiting as much as practicable. New keyholders for the church are determined that will happen.

One of the keyholders, Mike Kinsey, said the church was still consecrated and could host up to six services a year to retain dormant status. This included services at Christmas.

He said: 'The church has seen little other use and infrequent opening for viewing and the previous keyholders have moved away.

'It can be used for weddings, funerals and christenings as well as any other event and is available as a film or photography location.

'Our aim is to form a small friends' group for the building to focus interest in it and promote its use in conjunction with other village facilities.'

Mr Kinsey said it was important not to step on anyone's else's toes but to think of it as the 'third hall' of the new village centre.

'The Church Conservation Trust will fund improvements to the building but it's a catch 22 situation — we have to prove use of the hall first so we are looking for as many opportunities as we can.'

History or art exhibitions, national letterboxing events, murder mystery plays and a charity shop fashion show are just some of the ideas. There is limited catering facilities but food could be brought in for special events, said Mr Kinsey.

Anyone interested in becoming a 'friend' or who has event ideas can call Mr Kinsey on 01822 890273 or take a look at the new website http://www.princetownstmichaels.org.uk">www.princetownstmichaels.org.uk

The key-holders include the prison museum because of its historic links with the church — the prisoners of war who built it were from the war depot which is now Dartmoor Prison.