One of the country's oldest parish churches that was once the Cathedral of Cornwall has been leased by the Church of England to an independent trust.

Now called St Germans Priory, the Grade One listed church is believed to have been founded by St Germanus himself in 403. It went on to become, briefly, the local cathedral and then an Augustinian priory. 

A trust was set up to run the church after the parochial church council found it increasingly difficult to raise funds for repairs.

"There was a significant danger that the building would eventually deteriorate to the point that it became a monument unfit for use and seriously impact the local community," the trust says on its website.

Bishop of Truro Tim Thornton and local volunteers decided to develop the church as a building to be used for by the local community as well as a place of worship. The trust is attempting to raise millions of pounds to make this possible. Events to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday, the local Port Eliot festival and to showcase Truro Cathedral choir are among those being planned already. 

Bishop Thornton said: "I am very grateful to all those who are working so hard to try and ensure a sustainable future for this internationally important building. I hope and pray the Trust is successful in its work, and will do all I can to support it."