A pianist and presenter is backing a church's efforts to evolve and suit the 21st century.

Tomorrow (Saturday) an appeal is being launched to try and raise £45,000 for St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham, known as the Church on the Green.

Jools Holland OBE has agreed to be a patron of the appeal.

The singer is a known supporter of the Churches Conservation Trust and was married in St James' Church in Cooling, where he also lives.

The church needs a makeover to allow more people and services to use it – and the hope is for the church to go back to being at the centre of the community.

Hilda Aplin said: “We honestly and firmly believe this amount is achievable if we all just give a little. North Gillingham has dramatically changed over the years. It has lost amenities – there is no library, advice centre or cafe within the parish – and the residents, many of them elderly, have to travel to the town centre to access these facilities."

The plan is to make the inside of the church into a more versatile and welcoming space so it can be used by the community for various events.

All the Victorian pews are to be replaces with comfortable, movable chairs to accomodate group activities. The current doorway will be made larger to give wheelchair users better accessibility.

The church already works with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Medway Youth Service. It is hoped with more space there can be more groups to create a real community hub.

Mrs Aplin said: "First and foremost our church will always remain a place of worship, but in today's world and looking to the future we know we need to 'fling wide the gates' and connect with the people around us."

On Saturday September 12 Proms Concert will be held in aid of the Appeal with further details to follow.

Visit www.gillinghamparishchurch.org.uk or email hamishhilda@hotmail.com for more information or to help.