A 12th CENTURY church, was filled with the smooth sound of jazz as it launched a programme of music to raise funds for its preservation.

St Giles Church, at the junction of Woodstock and Banbury Roads in the centre of Oxford has a reputation for beautiful ecclesiastical music, but its congregations are turning to jazz to celebrate its 900th anniversary by raising £900,000 to fund a new organ, roof repairs and the construction of a new function room.

Its Jazz at St Giles season blasted off on Saturday with the Chris Ingham Quartet treating fans to a concert of music by the songwriter Hoagy Carmichael.

Five more shows take place between now and December.

Money raised will also go to charities War Child and Save the Children.

Organiser Jean Darke, from Woodstock Road, said: “It promises to be another successful, relaxing and friendly series of concerts.”

Go to jazz@stgiles.com