A medieval church could be given a new lease of life if plans for urgent repairs get the go-ahead.

The Grade I listed church of St Mary in Mundon is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches.

After being awarded a grant from the Government under the Cultural Support scheme, it is asking Maldon District Council for urgent repairs to be done.

Works on the tower structure, external South Nave wall, windows and pew bases are needed.

The church is a popular location with tourists and photographers, who visit the church and the petrified oaks surrounding the area.

The church served the village since the 14th century but had fallen into disrepair by 1684, requiring the rebuild of the chancel in brick.

The decline of the population in surrounding areas in the 19th and early 20th century resulted again in a deterioration of the church, and the impact from the blast of a German air missile in the second world war added further damage.

Despite some post-war repairs to the church, services were held elsewhere until eventually it was made redundant in 1970 and vested into the Friends of Friendless Churches in 1975.

Since then, comprehensive repairs, including reglazing of the windows and underpinning of the church walls, enabled the church to be opened to the public again in 2009.