IT has taken seven years and almost £20,000 to restore a church tower in Worcester.

One hundred years after it was built, St Martin’s with St Peter’s Church in London Road has been crowned with brand new wooden fixtures and a refurbished iron cross.

The fittings on top of the church tower were replaced on Wednesday, seven years after architects first noticed that the work needed to be done.

In 2002, building firms said that the refurbishment would cost £68,000. St Martin’s, unable to stump up the cash, was forced to abandon the restoration.

Churchgoer Dave Hall, who organised the project, said: “The cheapest quote was £68,000 and we simply couldn’t afford it, so we cordoned the area off and made it as safe as we could by taking away the rotten timbers.

“Earlier this year a tiler was working on the roof and he advised us to take another look at the tower.

“We contacted some building firms and this time they said it could be done for just under £20,000. It just goes to show what a recession can do.”

A grant from the Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust, combined with donations from the congregation, meant work could finally start.

On Wednesday, a team of workers put the oak fittings and iron cross in place.

“The oak that had rotted away had to be replaced before the cross, which has been repainted and restored by a man in Tenbury Wells, could be fitted,” said Mr Hall.

“It took eight strong men to hoist it up and then lift it into place.”

St Martin’s is currently celebrating its centenary.

Members marked the laying of the foundation stone with a three-day celebration last month and there are plans to hold more events over the coming months.