Guernsey's Little Chapel donated to charitable trust

Scaffolding has covered the structure and access has been limited since November

Fundraising for much-needed repairs to Guernsey's Little Chapel will begin following its donation to a charitable trust.

The site in St Andrew was owned by a religious order based in Paris.

The 16ft (5m) by 9ft (3m) church is one of the world's smallest consecrated chapels.

Work to stop subsidence began when a survey in 2015 found "a very real danger" the building could be lost because of structural problems.

Little Chapel

• Is the third and largest of three built on the site - the first was built in 1914 and measured just 9ft (3m) by 4.5ft (1.4m)

• Brother Deodat created the first two chapels - which were later demolished - and started the third before retiring to France and never seeing it finished

• He had collected pebbles and broken china to decorate the shrine

• Donations came from around the world when it was featured in newspapers

The Little Chapel Foundation said the chapel and gardens will be held in trust for the community after they were gifted by L'Institut des Freres des Ecoles Chretiennes.

The group was created to carry out emergency works when the chapel was "on the verge of collapse" which needed a loan to cover the cost, leaving it already in debt.

The foundation believes the work to restore the chapel and gardens will cost more than £500,000 and will take at least three years.

It said more than 80,000 people visit the Little Chapel every year making it the most visited attraction on the island.

The Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, urged islanders to recognise the gift by lending their support to preserve the Little Chapel for future generations

The project has the support of the Catholic Dean of Guernsey and the States.

Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: "The Little Chapel is the lynch-pin of our tourist offering and must be of a standard that enhances the visitor experience and the international reputation of the island."

The foundation said in addition to the restoration it will lease land from the order to create "an enhanced visitor experience" to pay for long-term maintenance.