AN HISTORIC East Yorkshire church could be closed if immediate repair work isn't carried out.

St Helen's Church at Kilnwick Percy, near Pocklington, has suffered damage in recent years and needs urgent repair work and longer-term restoration.

A meeting has been called to discuss the future of the church, which has no heating or lighting and no roads or footpaths leading to it.

St Helen's, which is located in the fields next to Kilnwick Percy Hall, was rebuilt in the 1860s and still contains original twelfth century stonework from the Norman church, which was based on the site.

As the church has no heating, it closes down every autumn and does not re-open until the spring when it holds a traditional Rogationtide service, which sees the congregation walk out into the fields to ask for a fruitful year ahead.

This year's Rogation service will take place on Sunday and local residents have been asked to return to the church after the service at 3pm to consider its future and come up with an action plan.

Churchwarden Philip Gilbank said: "One option that will have to be considered is whether to make the church redundant and close it down, or find an alternative use for it.

"But a number of people have expressed an interest in getting involved in saving the building to continue its present use, which could include setting up a restoration trust and applying for heritage grants.

"We have been keeping the church ticking over for a few years now, but eventually we have to make serious and fundamental decisions about its future.

"St Helen's is a timeless place in a very idyllic, peaceful setting.

"It is very difficult to imagine a setting that is more beautiful. I have enjoyed going and worshipping there since I was a baby and I still find it very inspiring."

Mr Gilbank said the decision would depend on whether people were prepared to spare time to apply for grants and hold fundraising events for the church.

St Helen's, which holds monthly services throughout the summer, contains carvings and cast iron work from the Victorian era and has been described by church historians as an "architectural gem."

Updated: 08:50 Thursday, May 22, 2003