A CHURCH facing potential closure is holding a harvest Flower Festival as part of its fundraising push to stay open.

The church of St Mary and St Lawrence in Rosedale Abbey in the North York Moors needs £90,000 to secure its future.

As part of the fight for funds, Pickering Flower Club are helping the village community in transforming the church with floral splendour.

Themes will cover the many aspects of life in the dale, including artefacts and photographs.

The Flower Festival is this Saturday, September 15 until September 23 from 10am until 5pm daily. Entry is free, and donations will be in aid of the Save Rosedale Church fund.

Other festival events include a ‘bring and share’ harvest supper at 6pm on September 22.

Linda Chambers, a church appeal committee member, said: “Those who know Rosedale appreciate the wonderful setting of the church and its special historical associations with the old medieval priory originally on the same site.

“Our many visitors love the church for its peaceful serenity.”

Many Ryedale residents have had family members baptised, married or buried in the historic church.