An effort to curb thefts at St Peter’s Church in Sandwich has sparked a battle between volunteers and the church organist.

George Sharman, of The Chain, Sandwich, owns the heritage organ and plays in the medieval church every Thursday.

He has owned a key to the north vestry since 1996 so he can access a heater to keep himself and the congregation warm when he gives recitals.

He said the Friends of St Peter’s Church have changed the locks so he no longer has access.

The Friends claim this is because there have been three thefts since the Mercury reported that £200 was stolen from a donation box last year.

As a result, it was decided to limit the number of key holders.

Mr Sharman, 69, said: “I was not given replacements. The heater contains new elements that were replaced last year at my own expense.”

“It is the first duty of the Friends of St Peter’s to try to keep the church secure and, as such, we took the decision to reduce the number of key holders.” - Bob Ward

He has raised the issue with Anne Evans, chairman of the Friends of St Peter’s.

He said: “All Anne Evans can give me as a response is, ‘Take your organ and play it elsewhere’. She has not understood that it is an integral part of the fabric of the building.”

Bob Ward, treasurer for the Friends, said as well as the three thefts, there had been vandalism and doors to “sensitive parts of the church” had been left open.

“It is the first duty of the Friends of St Peter’s to try to keep the church secure and, as such, we took the decision to reduce the number of key holders.”

The heater has since been donated to Mr Sharman by the Friends, for him to keep beside the organ but Mr Sharman said this would cause a fire hazard.

Mrs Evans, who has been chairman of the Friends for the past 12 years , said: “As regards premises keys, it is obviously for us to decide who they are issued to.”

New plans for St Peter’s Church will see the tower opened up as a viewing platform for the public.

The secret garden at the back of the church will also be opened up and a cafe situated inside.

The Churches Conservation Trust, which owns the church, has received a grant from the government for this project.

Mr Sharman is concerned that part of these proposals will see the organ moved but no one has asked his permission to do this.