The restoration of a beautiful village church rests on the kindness of the public.

An appeal has been launched calling on people to dig deep into their pockets and donate funds so that vital repair work can be undertaken on St Michael's and All Angels Church in Little Bredy.

The appeal has been set up by Ben Pentreath, a popular blogger and interior designer, who is hoping to raise £22,500 for the church restoration.

The total repair cost stands at £100,000, but in the past five years £20,000 has been raised from local events - a remarkable achievement in a settlement of 40 houses - £40,000 has been donated by private individuals and a further £17,500 has been donated from grant-funded aid.

Campaigners now need to raise £22,500 to complete the fundraising and allow repairs to the building to be completed before further damage occurs - and £6,000 has been raised in just days.

Ben said: “In the tiny West Dorset hamlet of Little Bredy, at the head of the Bride Valley, is the perfect, small, stone-built church of St Michael and All Angels.

"For several years the village has been fundraising to carry out significant and much-needed essential repairs to this remarkable building, much loved by all who visit.

“We are on the final push of fundraising and, as a result, we are turning to the generous support of wider communities - committed to preservation, and to the maintenance of a small but significant piece of living English heritage - to assist.”

Ben, who has 80,000 Instagram followers, has set up a JustGiving page for people to donate.

Donors have left messages of support, including one who which said: “A beautiful church, I hope it is soon restored in all its glory.”

Another said: “I am happy to donate to an open-hearted church that welcomes all, as its founder always has.”

To support the appeal, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ben-pentreath-littlebredy