THE stars were out at a fundraiser that raised £13,000 to help save a Cotswold church in urgent need of repairs.

Stars of Line of Duty and Netflix hits Bridgerton and The Crown supported the event for St Nicholas’ Church in Saintbury last Saturday.

Artist and writer Edmund De Waal, actor Michael Maloney, actress Emerald O'Hanarah, actress and singer Golda Rosheuvel and actor Owen Teale came for a day of performance and celebration to support St Nicholas’ Church in Saintbury.

The programme of talks, theatre and music was held at the church and helped launch the campaign to raise funds for urgent repairs, grow local support and re-establish St Nicholas’ as a focal point in the community.

The Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity that protects over 356 churches at risk, has kept Saintbury church wind and watertight, including funding the painstaking restoration of priceless 17th century wall paintings.

But with the church under threat from decay the fundraiser was needed, with more than 100 attending over the weekend, which included a service to close out the weekend on the Sunday.

Matt Hart, churches conservation trust regional director, added: "To say I was blown away by the performance would be an understatement. The event can be a catalyst to many successes for this and other churches."

Churches Conservation Trust chief executive officer Peter Aiers said: "I enjoyed going to Saintbury for the special service to end the festival.

"It was a joy to be there after such a successful day on Saturday. Brilliant, brilliant - it was our strategy of supporting local people to make use of their beautiful historic churches in action."

Annabel Lord, one of the organisers of the event had previously said she was inspired by the plight of the remote but striking early Medieval church, to hold the fundraiser.

“The church is a hidden jewel and it’s view from the top of the North Cotswold escarpment across to Wales and the Malvern Hills is literally awe inspiring," she said.

"I feel we need to repair the roof and open the doors so that more people can access and enjoy this magical place.

“I am thrilled and grateful to an amazing network of artists and friends who have been struck by Saintbury’s plight."