A SALTNEY church is appealing to the community after discovering woodworm and damp have infested its side chapel.

St Mark’s Church on St Mark’s Road is looking for help from local businesses and charitable residents due to the extensive damage caused.

Vicar the Rev Hennie Johnston explained the situation.

She said: “We realised that there was a lot of mess on the floor and did not know how long the woodworm had been there.

“There is plastic sheeting in place at the moment and it is out of bounds.

“We also have a lot of work to do on the roof as it has been leaking.”

Church warden Kevin Pearson said: “We have applied to the diocese to remove the affected wood.

“The woodworm has got into the oak panelling. We don’t know the full extent but we need to preserve the panelling.

“There is also an oil painting of a Nativity scene where they have eaten through, which is unusual, and we are looking to conserve that.

“We are also having problems with the roof over the side chapel as it was leaking.

“When we looked closer we realised it has been leaking for a long time, possibly over several years, and part of the ceiling has started to crack.

“We need permission to get the wood removed and would like that done as soon as possible in case it spreads to the rest of the church.

“We don’t know the full cost of the repairs but there will be a lot of costs involved with this, it’s terrible.”

Saltney Town Council has got the ball rolling by approving a £1,000 funding grant to the church toward the cost of repairs.

Rev Johnston added: “A very big thank you to them for supporting us.”

Anyone who can help is urged to call the church on 01244 675372.