All Saints Church in Hurworth hopes to be able to raise the money to build a £100,000 new entrance and office.

The rector, the Rev Roy Graham, is leaving in November and he believes the new office would make the job more attractive to potential successors.

It seems unlikely that his post will be immediately filled as the Durham diocese has introduced a policy that allows a gap between old and new clergy of at least 12 months. Mr Graham has called on parishioners to continue to support the church despite it having no minister.

He said "I am doing what I can to persuade 'the powers that be' to allow the patrons to start looking now and at least to nominate replacements so that the next rector can be instituted in December 2003 or January 2004."

Until a replacement is appointed the church's wardens will run the church's affairs.

Mr Graham added: "The group of parishes does not have an administrative centre which means the rectory has become an office instead of a private home. This will need to be addressed urgently if we are to attract a new rector who will expect to be provided with the facilities to do the job."

As well as providing space for the rector to work, staff at the administration office would be able to give parishioners access to the church which is currently locked between services.

English Heritage, Darlington Borough Council and the Durham Diocese have approved the proposal. A detailed plan has also been drawn up to show what the finished entrance would look like.

Tenders to carry out the work at the church were sought and the lowest bid was £100,000, although this tender has now expired.

Mr Graham said: "The church council looks after the church's money, but obviously does not have the funds to carry out that much work.

"The church council did not feel able to accept a tender now, but has reaffirmed its wish to complete the project when possible."