A BATTLE is underway to save one of Thurrock's most historic buildings.

St Nicholas Church on The Green in South Ockendon was consecrated in 1142. It is Grade I-listed and is one of only six churches in Essex with a round tower.

However, after almost 900 years as the centrepiece of the local community its has been placed on the 'Heritage at Risk Register' and, following a recent architectural survey it tower has been declared unsafe.

The tower, originally built from Reigate Stone, was later covered with flints. Further repairs used mortar to hold it altogether. These materials heat up and cool down at different rates. Recent heavy rains have also weakened the structure. This results in large cracks, loss of flints/mortar and crumbling stone.

Repair and maintenance are the responsibility of each local church rather than the denomination. To date, local own fund-raising efforts have only raised a few hundred pounds a time.

St Nicholas Church.

Anne Pool is one of a dedicated team attempting to repair and restore the tower.

She says: "We need more than £150k for the first phase of repairs to the tower and to the rest of the church. This is so that it is safe and watertight. In further phases, we hope to restore the interior walls and floors, and replace the aged gas heating system.

"We can then offer warm meeting and venue spaces for the community.

"Applications to grant funding bodies take time and often have little success. This is because funders will only give where significant money exists already.

"So far, we are grateful to Friends of Essex Churches Trust for their support, and to the Round Tower Churches Society for their input.

"The kind show people at Buckles Lane have also lent their support by hosting a fund-raising event on The Green at the end of September. Other individuals have responded through our recent Facebook postings.

"St Nicholas Church still has a long way to go to be able to cover all the costs. We would appreciate any donations. Even a small amount can help toward our phase 1 target. Giving can be direct into our bank account (St Nicholas Church 60-09-11 72403780) or through the QR code on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stnicholaschurchockendon."