WORK to restore the crumbling fabric at St John's ancient parish church in Bromsgrove will start in October.

The restoration project will include the complete re-leading of the vast nave roof and major stonework repairs and replacement on the 198ft spire and tower, which has been eroded over the years by wind and rain. Specialist stonemasons will work on the sandstone building to restore the church to it's former glory.

The first part of the project will be to erect scaffolding and a temporary roof over the church to protect the 12th century building while the work is taking place.

A number of pinnacles which surround the nave roof will be restored and one that was dislodged during a thunderstorm, a few years ago, will be replaced.

The weathervane which stands proudly on the top of the tallest spire in Worcestershire will be bought to the ground, restored and replaced to it's lofty viewpoint. The clock face will also be repaired and restored.

The half-million pound project is to be undertaken by Birmingham-based construction company William Sapcote and Son, a family business established in 1853 with a first class reputation for restoration work.

Their work includes the refurbishment of St Martin's in Birmingham's Bullring and Eastor Castle in Herefordshire.

The building work was made possible following the hugely successful St John's Landmark Appeal which raised almost £600,000 in it's two year campaign during 2003 and 2004.

It is thanks to the hard work and generosity of so many people and the support of local and national trusts and organisation that has enabled the work to be undertaken.

"I am thrilled that the building work will commence in the next few weeks and that the efforts of everyone who so generously supported the appeal are coming to fruition," commented delighted St John's vicar the Rev Nigel Marns."

The restoration work will take eight months to complete and during the course of the project open days will be held at the church giving interested people the opportunity to view the work in progress and to see the skilled craftsmen at work.

A celebratory event to mark the start of the restoration work is being held in St John's Church on Friday, October 21. Guests will have the chance to chat to those involved in all aspects of the appeal, including appeal patron Bromsgrove's MP, Julie Kirkbride.

Tickets for the event are £5. This will include cheese and wine, and tickets are available from Jo Slade on 01527 835734.