The Church of England says that services at a church made famous by the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral are set to become less frequent unless a churchwarden is found.

St Michael's Church in Betchworth, near Reigate in Surrey, is featured in the first wedding in the film directed by Richard Curtis. It starred Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott-Thomas and Simon Callow.

The Diocese of Southwark was responding to speculation after a post on social media claimed the church was at risk of closure because it was without a churchwarden.

A spokesperson told the BBC that a decision on the future of services would be made by the end of May.

"At the moment, St Michael's has no churchwarden and it's simply not possible to maintain the number of services (currently a fortnightly Holy Communion) it offers without one.

"There is no expectation that St Michael's would need to close.

"However, without a churchwarden, worship services would be less frequent."

The diocese said it remained hopeful that a churchwarden would be found.

Churchwardens are usually volunteers and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the parish. 

The Grade I-listed St Michael's parish church is part of the Benefice of Betchworth and Buckland.