St Mary's Parish Church wall crumbled after being weakened in floods earlier this year, revealing the 11th century motte (mound) and bailey (moat) which have been out of sight for hundreds of years.

The moat is now a pond containing newts, which church committee members believe may be protected.

Committee member Stephen Butler said: "The wall fell into the pond, so to rebuild it we would have to go into the pond which would disturb the clay bottom and the newts.

"We got somebody to put some railings up but it needs to be made safe otherwise the rest will fall down.

"It has been complicated because it is an ancient monument. The mound is managed by English Heritage so we can't do anything about it.

"We would have to get their permission and we have to get permission from Kirklees Council."

Mr Butler said the site had started to collect rubbish, but committee members were unable to tidy it because of safety reasons – and the newts.

rebuild

He said: "We haven't been able to do anything to make it better. It is not really accessible so this could be an opportunity to see it.

"Local people might not realise it's such an ancient site."

Mr Butler said the church would have to pay to rebuild the wall, which he said would be costly, and donations would be welcomed.

English Heritage spokesman Lee Rotherham said the organisation was sorry to hear about the wall's collapse.

He said: "The walls sit above the site of a scheduled ancient monument. The ground under the walls is scheduled, but the walls themselves have been excluded.

"This means that the wall can readily be restored to its former condition, so long as further alterations are not made such as digging deeper into the archaeology, or adding concrete footings.

"English Heritage has not been approached about any concerns, but we would be happy to offer advice if it were needed."