Church seeks help decoding Da Vinci-style labyrinth

A church where a hidden labyrinth has been uncovered is asking the public to help decipher its meaning.

The tiled green and brown floor at St Mary's in Itchen Stoke, Hampshire set below stained-glass windows and spanning about 16.5 ft (5m) was covered by an altar table

The Churches Conservation Trust who look after the church say when the sun shines a kaleidoscope-like pattern is seen on the tiles and where the light lands may hold a clue to its purpose.

Victoria Green from the trust said the discovery of an arrow of light pointing to the centre sparked speculation it might be a calendar. She said more research was needed to find out, adding: "Sometimes it feels a bit like the Da Vinci Code."

The labyrinth has 11 circuits, 1,500 glazed tiles and one route to the centre

Green who recently took over caring for St Mary's and revealed the labyrinth said: "Lots more research will have to be done and we'd love the public to help us - it'll require observations at all times of day from sunrise onwards.

"We believe the labyrinth was based on the one at Chartres Cathedral in France.

"Visitors use it for prayer or contemplation – and children just race or dance around, it's delightful."

She added: "Many interpret walking a labyrinth as a pilgrimage.

"We now get prayer groups who walk it and pilgrims come on the St James Way – the Camino de Santiago – a route of 66 miles from Reading Abbey to Southampton via Winchester Cathedral.

"The villagers of Itchen Stoke are becoming interested in it and people are booking tours and the visitors' book has entries from as far away as Texas."

The labyrinth lies within the chancel at the most sacred east-end of the Grade II-listed church within an apse.

Anyone who has any clues is urged to contact The Churches Conservation Trust.