Artwork in one of Brighton's oldest buildings has been badly damaged by damp.

Members of the 1,000-year-old St Wulfran's Church in Ovingdean have to raise £22,000 to repair their prized chancel ceiling.

The ceiling was painted in 1867 by Charles Kemp but has not been touched since and is showing the effects of damp and age.

The Reverend Andrew Mayes said: "The paint is beginning to flake badly.

"We really want to save it before it suffers any more deterioration. The chancel ceiling is part of our heritage."

Earlier this year, the church spent £8,000 on retiling the roof, to protect against rain and further damp.

The ceiling artwork depicts wheat sheaves, floral patterns and doves.

Sheaves also appear on the Kemp family coat of arms, which hangs in the church.

The family helped found Kemp Town and their crypt is near the main entrance of the church.

The 11th Century church, which featured in the 1086 Domesday Book, is usually locked up at the weekends outside service hours.

But it will now be open from 2pm to 4pm every Saturday until late-September so visitors can view the ceiling and the stained-glass windows.

Mr Mayes said: "We don't want the church to be a private treasure.

"We are looking to welcome visitors from far afield. We have this hidden art which we want to share."

Members of the church are planning to organise fund-raising events to find the £22,000.

They will also approach English Heritage for help and are appealing for any donations from the community and Brighton and Hove businesses.

Anyone wanting to help should call David Ross on 01273 301075.