Abingdon's oldest and largest church, St Helen's, closes for six months in September as work gets under way on installing new underfloor heating.

It will be the first phase of a wide-ranging renewal project costing £2m for the 10th century church, a familiar landmark in the town with its imposing spire.

During the closure the congregation will have to move to other churches but the locations have not yet been decided.

The appeal was launched nearly two years ago and so far more than £275,000 has been raised. Another £185,000 is still needed to pay for phase one. It was due to have started last autumn, but the project had to be delayed because not enough money had been raised.

The vicar, the Rev Michael Goode, said: "After the disappointment of last year we are thrilled that work will commence this September. Our next target is £100,000 to restore our 18th century organ and we want to start that work next year."

Renewal appeal treasurer Susan Read said: "We have made remarkable progress thanks to the generosity of individuals, groups and businesses. Now we are in a position to be able to start work later this year on the long-awaited underfloor heating.

"The total cost is £460,000 so we still have much work to do. But we expect some big donations and grants to be coming in during the next six months or so.

"By the spring most of phase one will be completed but there is still a long way to go before we see the total transformation of St Helen's."

When work gets under way in September, Sunday services will have to be held in other churches.