AN appeal to restore access to one of Lancashire's oldest places of worship has been revived.

For several years, the entrance to the 13th century Peter of Chester chapel at Whalley Abbey has been barred, for safety reasons.

But the Friends of Whalley Abbey group is determined to raise more than £9,000 to give visitors a glimpse of the 12 foot by 12 foot enclave.

Beryl Fletcher, a committee member for the friends, said: "This is to repair the lintel over the doorway, so we can get into the chapel itself.

"The chapel is the oldest part of the site and was built in 1250 by Peter of Chester, as his own private place of worship. He was the Rector of Whalley Church but had his lodgings there."

And Beryl, who is also a volunteer guide at the abbey, would dearly love to include the historic retreat on her regular tours.

She added: "We've got around £600 but we were given an estimate a few years ago that the work could cost around £9,000."

Known as Peter de Cestria, Peter of Chester is reputed to be the illegitimate son of John de Lacy, who witnessed the signing of the Magna Carta and constructed Clitheroe Castle.

Though never officially ordained, this never held him back as he secured appointments at Beverley Minster and Lichfield and Hereford cathedrals. He was even in line to be a Canon of York Minster until Pope Nicholas IV intervened.

And his diplomatic skills were well-received at the court of King Edward I, where he served as First Baron of the Exchequer for a time and was involved in the reshaping of the civil service.

Work has previously been completed on the restoration of the 16th century choir pits at Whalley but the question of access to the chapel has remained outstanding.

Previously consideration had been given by Blackburn Diocese to applying for Heritage Lottery Fund support for the project.

The Cistercian Abbey of Stanlaw moved to Whalley from Cheshire in 1296, a move Peter was said to have bitterly opposed.

He died in 1295 and is thought to be buried in the grounds of Whalley Church. A tombstone was discovered in the churchyard in the 1950s and was later transferred to the main building.

After the dissolution of the monastery in 1537, the property passed into private hands and was later converted into an Elizabethan manor house.

The abbey remained in private hands until 1923, when the Church of England took possession.

If anyone would like to find out more about the friends' chapel appeal, or make a donation, they are invited to call Beryl on 01252 824397 for more details.