The church is in need of repair

A village church in need of funds has come up with a new twist on the traditional fete - by turning to e-commerce.

St Mary's Church in Earl Soham, Suffolk, has set up its own online shopping mall with backing from several high street stores.

It receives commission ranging from 2% to 20% on 63 products on sale.

Church lay reader and website creator Simon Nicholls said: "Potentially it is a lucrative and very cost-effective fundraising project for St Mary's."

'Innovative idea'

He said the church was in need of repair, and the local population too sparse to raise much money.

Mr Nicholls, the chief executive of site hosts biz-E People, took up the project after the Reverend Clare Sanders gave £5 each to a few members of her congregation and challenged them to double it.

So far the website has raised less than £30 - but Mr Nicholls believes it has the potential to go much further.

UK-based shoppers spent more than £1bn online last November.

A spokesman for the Church of England said he believed it was one of the first initiatives of its kind.

"This is an innovative idea that shows the church using 21st-century technology to help alleviate some of its problems."