Historic church may close doors

The church was first founded by King Ethelred

A historic church, first founded in the 7th Century, may have to close its doors to visitors because it is running out of cash.

St John's Church in Chester, became Chester's first cathedral and now it attracts thousands of tourists.

But catering for them and keeping the doors open every day plus raising money to maintain the church is becoming too much for the group of volunteers.

They need to raise more cash and attract more help.

There is no danger of the church closing for services but it may not stay open for tourists.

Rachel Barlow, a volunteer, said: "I don't resent it but I do think it's very difficult to give, knowing however much you give it's not going to be enough."

The Reverend David Chesters, the rector of the church said: "Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, the great architectural historian, said 'walking into St Johns is like walking back into the 12th Century', I think comments like that show how great this church is."