A major revamp of a historic church has started - after local people banded together to raise cash for repairs in record time.

An appeal was launched after it was found that St Andrew's Church in Shrivenham, originally destroyed in the Civil War and then rebuilt, needed repairs totalling £136,000.

Stuart Spencer launched the appeal in May and the cash need for the repairs has been raised in just five months.

The St Andrew's Church Roof Appeal fund is now being wound up after work started on the renovations on Monday. Mr Spencer said: "It has been very much a village effort.

"The contractors have started work on the church roof and found the damage is not any greater than we expected.

"The roof has been stripped off and a temporary one put in place.

"We are hoping work will be finished in three to six months."

The money will go towards replacing the lead on the Lady Chapel, altar area and vestry, and renewing the porch. A promises auction earlier this month raised £5,900 for the appeal.

Among the 63 prizes was a chance for two people to join an extensive tour of the gardens at Prince Charles' Highgrove estate, a tour of the Tower of London with a private view of the Crown Jewels and a flight for two in a twin-engine aircraft.

Other events such as concerts, cash appeals and garden openings were also held.

A grant of £53,000 was given by English Heritage and another for £6,500 came from the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust.

Story date: Friday 29 October

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