Standing at the centre of the village of Stonesfield, it is only fitting that the church roof was replaced with its namesake tiles.

Reclaimed Stonesfield slate is being used to repair the 13th-century St James the Great Church after villagers and donors raised an impressive £33,000 in under five months - helped by Hollywood superstar Keira Knightley.

Specialist builders are replacing the decrepit roof tiles and the inside of the church is due for a makeover in October.

David Gambier, chairman of the Stonesfield Parish Church Restoration Appeal, said it was an important decision whether to use Stonesfield slate or a cheaper alternative.

He said: "We felt as a committee we wanted to use it as they are what put the village on the map at the end of the 1800s.

"Also, there are no new Stonesfield slates so we are probably the last church which will have the opportunity to use this building material, which is our village legacy.

"We could have used a cheaper slate be we felt it was our historic obligation to the village."

The restoration appeal, which started in April, saw villagers and campaigners rallying round holding a range of events from discos to concerts to raise money.

Miss Knightley, who has starred in films including Pirates of the Carribean and Bend It Like Beckham, and her boyfriend Rupert Friend signed a copy of Pride and Prejudice - the recent film of which they both starred in - for an auction of promises to raise funds for the appeal.

Mr Friend's mother Caroline lives near the church in Stonesfield, and it was one of her close neighbours who bid £40 to have a copy of the book signed.

The auction, held at Stonesfield Primary School, raised £5,001, plus an extra £305 in donations.

The roof should be finished by the end of this month.