PHASE one of the St Michael and All Angels Church restoration project is complete.

Work commenced on March 13 this year to re-slate the roof, replace lead gutters will stainless steel, restore seven Victorian pinnacles and complete masonry work.

The initial work cost more than £200,000 and an additional £100,000 is needed to start phase two which will focus on the Venables Screens and installation of mains drainage and toilets.

Rev Simon Drew, Rector of St Michaels, said: “I am delighted that we have made such a significant step in the restoration of our lovely church building.

“The heritage represented by it is now so much more accessible to the Middlewich community.

“We are looking forward to making further improvements to the availability of the building to the public, to shedding light on its history and to preserving the structure for the future.”

A heritage trail has been added inside the church which includes a digital archive of documents and photographs relating to the history of the church.

This has been open to the public on monthly market days with the next opportunity available during the December Mexon Market.

Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, said: “I was delighted to see the heritage trail which has been set up in the church, and was very impressed by the quality of the work involved and the level of commitment shown by the volunteers who put it together.

“It marks the completion of phase one of the project and I look forward to seeing project on the remainder of it, conserving this magnificent building and making it even more accessible to the people of Middlewich.”

To donate to the project visit middlewichparishchurch.org.uk/donate