The first church in the country just for children is opening soon - providing planning permission is granted.

The derelict 13th century flint building adjoining St Mary the Virgin's Anglican church in Selling, Faversham, was once the vestry. Later it was used as a mortuary but since the 1920s it has lain empty.

The vicar, the Rev John Mason, said: "The building is of great historical value. It is a dreadful waste to see it unused. We desperately needed more space for the children so they could make a happy noise. At the moment they are rather constrained in a corner of the big church. This will give them a chance to have bit of autonomy.

"The children think it is a great idea," he said. "I'm going to have to get used to 10-year-old church wardens. Who knows where it will lead?"

Rev Mason said he was optimistic that planning permission would be given. The council needed to be assured that the integrity of the building was kept and toilets installed for the children.

Besides a number of medieval tombs and stained glass, St Mary's boasts a Victorian privy.