St George's RAF chapel in Biggin Hill is facing closure after the Ministry of Defence decided to pull funding.

The chapel, along Main Street, could close from March next year if replacement funding is not found.

Home to both Catholic and Church of England services, the iconic building is also a war memorial.

The names of 454 servicemen operating from Biggin Hill who lost their lives in World War II are commemorated in the church.

Also flanking the entrance are two full size replicas of a Spitfire and a Hurricane - the 'gate guardians'.

Stained glass windows, 17 in total, depicting a variety of aviation scenes adorn the chapel with some designed by Hugh Easton.

If no group comes forward with funding, rumoured to be around £50,000 a year, it will be closed to the public.

In response local resident Martin John Mitchener has started a petition to save it, attracting nearly 3,000 signatures.

A spokesman for the MOD said: "In order to ensure that the defence budget is spent in the most appropriate way the MOD will look to relinquish ownership of St George's Chapel by March 2016.

"However, given its importance, we are exploring options that will ensure the heritage of the chapel is preserved."

The 100th anniversary of World War I saw a commemoration service at the church which was attended by residents and dignitaries.

To sign the petition visit epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/73191