Fundraising has begun in earnest in complete the renovation of the stained glass windows at one of Norfolk's finest churches.

The medieval St Mary's Church at Redenhall, near Harleston, is renowned for its set of eight bells, but is in need of around �65,000 to carry out repairs to four windows at the historic building.

The church's friends group has started fundraising to help pay for the restoration, which will involve the releading of stained glass windows on the north side of the 15th century church.

Two of the windows at St Mary's are in danger of falling in and volunteers hope to get permission and raise enough to start repairs next year.

Brenda Le Grys, secretary of the Friends of St Mary's Church, said the old windows had become quite 'dilapidated' and holes had appeared in some of the glass. Three windows have already been fixed since 2007.

'We are looking for �65,000 to get it all done and we are applying to English Heritage and charitable foundations. When we had the chancel windows done, it made a big difference and when the sun is on that side it is magnificent,' she said.

The friends group has already staged a three day flower festival and a tour of the church tower on the longest day to help the window funds.

The impressive church was funded by the De la Poles, one of the wealthiest East Anglia families of the 15th century, and one of the windows that needs restoring was funded by the Gawdy family, of nearby Gawdy Hall, which displays the family crest.

Meanwhile, work continues to record and document all of the 2,000 gravestones in Redenhall as part of a two year history project, which includes research on some of the people buried in the Harleston area's main church yard. The findings are set to published next year to help people researching their family histories.

The Friends of St Mary's at Redenhall are holding a pie and pea supper at Needham Village Hall on Saturday from 7pm.

Tickets cost �10 each and all proceeds will go to the church's stained glass window appeal. Contact Brenda on 01379 852572.