Friends of a much-loved church have launched an appeal to restore its organ.

St Nicholas Chapel in King's Lynn is best known for its magnificent host of wooden roof angels.

It also boasts an organ which is more than a century old. The instrument, which was last serviced more than 30 years ago, is no longer sounding its best.

So the Friends of St Nicholas Chapel are launching an appeal to get it back into full voice in time for Christmas.

The campaign begins on Sunday, when there will be two workshops in the chapel as part of Lynn's Heritage Open Day.

The sessions, at 11am and 2pm, will include some background about the organ and how it works, a quick demonstration and allow people, to play it.

The friends said: 'Our organ is one of the last built by Henry Willis, the most famous organ builder of his generation, and installed in 1900. The service, which will cost £5,000, includes removing the front and pipes to clean the interior, beating out dents to pipework, and repairing collapsed reeds and the blower.

'We have kick started the appeal with £1,500 and need your help to raise the final £3,500 to make this happen.'

The friends, formed in 2002, is a charity set up to protect and promote the chapel. It works with the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) to maintain the building and welcome visitors.

'From the tip of its 19th Century spire to its Norman foundations, everything about this town centre church is dazzling,' it says. 'Monuments from the 17th and 18th centuries, some with startlingly life-like painted figures, celebrate King's Lynn's seamen, merchants, mayors and shopkeepers and illustrate the town's long history as a busy commercial centre and port.

On Friday, October 13, a Norwegian choir concert is being held to help raise funds for the organ appeal. For further information, go online to www.facebook.com/st.nicholaschapel.

Donations to the appeal can be made by visiting the chapel, in St Ann's Street, on Sunday, or between 10.30am - 4pm Tuesdays to Satrurdays.

Alternatively cheques made payable to the Friends of St Nicholas Chapel and can be sent to Treasurer, Friends of St Nicholas Chapel, St Nicholas Chapel, St Ann's St, King's Lynn PE30 1NH.