A parish has celebrated having full use of their church three years after part of the ceiling collapsed.

St Mary's Church in Bridport has opened to full capacity after work was completed on fixing the north aisle roof.

Upon fixing the roof, which collapsed in November 2015, repairman found repairs upon repairs, some dating back to the 1930s, which had caused water to leak in and weaken the plaster.

The aisle was sealed off, and although services resumed, architects felt it was not safe to use the north aisle for big services.

After receiving a quotes in the region of £100,000 and more for the grade one listed church, the parishioners took to fundraising after a government grant application was turned down.

Grants were applied for and a huge fundraising effort followed, with events ranging from coffee and jazz mornings with Mood Indigo to filling a Smarties tube with loose change.

The church received grants as well as money generously given by individuals and businesses in the town to help fix the roof.

Parker Estate Agent held a Christmas raffle to support the roof fund, and many people came up with different ways to help raise funds.

Eventually, there was enough money to start the work in June this year, and Perennial Contractors, Nick, Dale and Rob, worked through soaring temperatures, rain and wind to to replace the lead beams on the roof.

Finally in early September, furniture was moved back into the north aisle of the church and the whole church used on Sunday, September 9. Reverend Pete Stone said: "It has been a very long journey to raise the funds, I am so grateful to so many people who have given their time and energy to help raise funds and seek out grants.

"St Mary's has been in the town for more than 800 years, its aim to be here for all in the town, whether that be through Cupboard Love, its civic role with Remembrance Sunday, or for baptisms, weddings and funerals.

"We can now once again use the whole church.

"Thanks to Perennial Contractors who have done an amazing job, our architect Daniel Cantrell and so many individuals and businesses in the town who have given so generously to reach this point.

"We are very grateful to the many grant making trusts, including the Dorset Historic Churches Trust who has helped us reach our fundraising target."

A special lead roof plaque, which has been gifted by Perennial Roofing and cast from lead recycled from the old roof, was placed on the church roof by Perennial commemorating the occasion.

On the roof plaque, there will be an inscription listing the names of the team vicar, Perennial workers, architect and a reference to Isaiah chapter 25 verse 4, which states: "For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat."

Reverend Pete said: "We felt this was a very apt verse for what we feel St Mary's is for the town."