A TINY 12th-century church with a regular congregation of just eight has embarked on a mission to raise money to buy a new organ.

The Patricio Church, also referred to as the Church of Saint Issui, near Fforest Coal Pit needs £4,500 for a new organ but the fund at present stands at just £30.

The small congregation launched their fund-raising campaign with a carol service on Sunday, December 16th at 11.15am.

Parishioners have set themselves a target of having the new organ in place by Easter; churchwarden Denver Green said, ‘we have a long way to go but we will get there.

The church is a famous pilgrimage site with a 16th-century rood screen and doom figure painted on the west wall.

Anyone wishing to help or make a donation to the appeal can do so by writing to the church secretary/treasurer at Pwll-y-hwyaid, Fforest Coal Pit, Abergavenny. NP7 7LN.