The roof of the Grade II* listed The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Marlingford, west of Norwich, is failing and its tower is crumbling.

Water is leaking into the church, while the medieval tower has been cordoned off because of the risk of falling flint and masonry.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Marlingford (Image: Mark Pfeiffer)

The community has been raising money for crucial repairs and have been handed a major boost - £10,000 from the National Churches Trust to tackle the damage done to the structure of the church and to help secure the bell tower.

The money will help protect the church, parts of which date as far back as the 12th century and some of which was rebuilt in Victorian times, and the heritage inside.

That heritage includes stained glass windows on the south side of the chancel which commemorate 20-year-old Marlingford Navy lieutenant Edward Travers Fletcher.

The A8 submarine (Image: Archive)

He was one of 15 people who died in the submarine HMS A8 in 1905, when it suddenly submerged off Plymouth Sound with its hatch still open during a training exercise.

He is buried in the churchyard and the stained glass window in his memory, depicting Faith, Hope and Charity, with two dedicated by his brothers and the other by fellow Navy officers.

The church also has a font dating to the 12th century and 17th and 18th tombs.

The stained glass commemorating tragic submariner Edward Travers Fletcher (Image: John Salmon)

Mark Pfeiffer, designated fabric officer at St Mary’s, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this grant from the National Churches Trust.

"Our beautiful church has been at the centre of this rural community for nearly a thousand years and it would be a major loss to this community if it fell into serious disrepair.

"All our residents recognise the history and importance of this building as has been demonstrated by so many villagers taking part in local fundraising activities to help secure the building’s future.

“Although we still have some way to go this grant really makes an impact to our financial position. We will now continue fundraising with renewed vigour."

The church continues to be open to the public every day.

© Norwich Evening News