A MOCHDRE church has launched a fund raising drive to pay for major repairs.

St Cystennin's church, a Grade II listed building, needs to raise more than £130,000 for a new roof and other work. Currently the building is suffering significant damage from rainwater seeping in. Ad hoc repairs over a number of years have not solved the problem with the leaking roof and the only effective solution is to replace it.

In addition the walls of the church need repointing, timber affected by dry rot has to be replaced, and its interior needs redecoration.

Margaret Hodgkiss, treasurer of St Cystennin's church said: “In the past we have held a number of successful events to raise money to install a disabled entrance, a disabled toilet, for new guttering and drain pipes, stone walls repair and replacement, and a new church bell.

“Replacing the roof is the biggest project we have faced and I know it will be a mountain for us to climb. Our first target is to raise sufficient money to enable us to trigger grants from the heritage lottery fund, from the Church in Wales and other sources.

“We are now finalising a programme of events and other fund raising schemes.”

St Cystennin's dates from the mid 19th century, but was built on the site of a fifteenth century church and it is believed it has been a site of worship since the fourth century.

Donations can be sent to the treasurer at the parish office, Penrhyn Beach East, Penrhyn Bay, Llandudno, LL30 3NT.

The church will be open for visitors to see the plans of the proposed work every Saturday between 10.30am and 12.30pm.