ONE of Britain’s most famous organists has been recruited to give a concert on a village church organ regarded as one of the most historically important in the country.

St Felix Church in Felixkirk, near Thirsk, imported the Walcker of Ludwigsberg organ from Germany in 1890, at a cost of £592.

Since then the village and the church has battled to preserve and maintain the instrument, which was restored in 1997 with donations from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Now John Ogden, presenter of BBC Radio2’s The Organist Entertains, is to play the organ at a performance on Friday May 1 at 7.30pm.

Originally the organ, the first Walcker organ in England, was hand blown but was later run with a hydraulic engine with water piped down from nearby Mount St John.

Eventually because of low pressure an electric blower was installed.

Money raised from the concert will go towards Felixkirk and Boltby church funds.

One of the organisers, Alec Hornsby said: "It’s a very important event for the village and the church, we're really thrilled Mr Ogden will be playing.

"The Walcker organ has a certificate of historical importance which means it is important to the national heritage and deserves preservation for the benefit of future generations."

Tickets are £10, from Alan Parsons on 01845 522166, Barrie Sidebottom on 01845 597359 or Alec Hornsby on 01845 597413.