AN historical Essex church is set to have essential restoration work carried out. Holy Trinity Church in Halstead has suffered damage from damp and needs a new internal roof to the tower, new external rainwater chutes, ventilators and floodlighting added.

AN historical Essex church is set to have essential restoration work carried out.

Holy Trinity Church in Halstead has suffered damage from damp and needs a new internal roof to the tower, new external rainwater chutes, ventilators and floodlighting added.

Jacqueline Pell, who represents the Halstead Residents on Braintree District Council, said: “It's important to keep the church in good repair. It's a focal point to the town. It has a lot of special meaning to many people - I for one was married there.

“We have an obligation to keep it in good repair - it's had a lot of money spent on it.”

It is currently too dangerous for the public to enter the building, but the church normally holds eight services a year as well as concerts and events held by the neighbouring school.

Eve Faulkner, who recently retired after 18 years as the church key holder, explained that rainwater had been entering at the top of the spire and had rotted the belfry floor.

She said: “This church is special as it was the very first to be built by Sir Gilbert Scott. They'll never make churches as beautiful as this again. So it is important to maintain them for posterity.”

The church, on Chapel Hill in the town, was built on the site of a wayfarer's chapel dating back to the 1200s.

The Churches Conservation Trust is funding the renovation work and Mrs Faulkner added: “I think that they are a wonderful organisation. I have the greatest admiration for them.”

The trust's field officer, Chloe Cockerill, said at this stage it was unclear how much the work would cost.

She said: “We are fully responsible for the maintenance of the Holy Trinity. It is a local landmark - its spire can be seen for miles around.We would very much like people to keep visiting the church and to hold events there.”

Freeland Rees Roberts Architects will be carrying out the work, which, if granted planning permission from Braintree District Council, is due to begin in April.

Meanwhile, the Holy Trinity is looking for a new custodian to take over the role from Mrs Faulkner. Anyone who is interested can contact Mrs Cockerill on 01223 290439.