A TELEVISION presenter turned master chef will be in York next week going through the key hole at a city church.

Loyd Grossman, the former presenter of Through The Key Hole and Masterchef, will visit Holy Trinity Church, in Goodramgate, as part of his role as the chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).

Mr Grossman, who is now a respected chef in his own right, will be at the church at 4.15pm on Wednesday along with some of the charity's trustees to see for himself some of the work that goes on there.

Tim Charlson, the trust's regional development manager, said Holy Trinity was one of the most popular and atmospheric churches in the region.

He said: "Holy Trinity is a real hidden gem and the flagship of our 340 churches, with the most visitors.

"The chairman and trustees will be there to see what has been going on, including the church's involvement in hosting regular art exhibitions from local art group Art Space and performances by York guitarist Pete Smith.

"Mr Grossman wants to see how successful the church is and how the staff there deal with the huge numbers of visitors they get each year."

Tucked behind a row of houses and shops in Goodramgate, Holy Trinity is said to be among the oldest churches in England.

There was a church on this site at the time of the Domesday Book, but most of the present church exterior dates from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The red brick entrance was built in 1776. The interior is notable for its irregular box pews, also 17th century, and some fine medieval stained glass.

The CCT is the national charity conserving England's most beautiful and historic churches which are no longer needed for regular worship.

It promotes public enjoyment of these churches, and encourages their use as an educational and community resource. It currently cares for some 340 churches.

There are 31 trust churches in Yorkshire - 18 in North Yorkshire, five in South Yorkshire and four in West Yorkshire.

Mr Grossman was appointed in as trust chairman in July last year.