A VILLAGE church is hosting a traditional Christmas market to raise funds for essential repair work on its graveyard.

St Peter’s Church in Belmont says that problems with flooding as well as a general wear and tear has led to the collapse of a number of gravestones.

Church warden and chairman of Belmont Local History Society Thomas Carr said: “It isn’t generally known that the long-term responsibility for maintaining graves primarily lies with the families of those buried.

“But when you have a graveyard which is more than 160 years old, many of those families have disappeared.

“The effect of the elements on the graves has resulted in damage, especially to the headstones, some of which have become a hazard.

“Their care and restoration then falls to the present church community.”

This year instead of the annual Christmas fair, the congregation will convert the inside of the church into a traditional Christmas market.

Three years ago St Peter’s ran a festive market to raise funds to restore the church tower.

George Skinner, one of the team working on the market fundraising event, said: “It isn’t just about restoring gravestones but making the whole graveyard attractive for visitors, a place in keeping with the function of burials but also a valuable natural and historical resource for the community.”

The church was built in 1849 to serve the newly-created industrial village. It was constructed from local Ousel Nest quarry grit, and the 167-year-old graveyard with its local cenotaph, is said to be particularly significant to the village as it is one of its few remaining historic sites.

The church tower was restored thanks to funds raised from the market and other events, donations and a grant from the Government’s Church Roofs scheme.

Mr Skinner said: “It is hoped that the market will not only help to raise funds for the graveyard project but will also provide a happy seasonal event for the village and those living nearby.”

The market will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, November 25 and entry is free.

For more information visit St Peter’s Belmont website or its Facebook page.