A HISTORIC Lyme Regis church has been restored to its former glory in a project worth a quarter of a million pounds.

Works to restore the exterior and to redecorate and repair the interior of St Michael and St George RC Church have been completed.

The Gothic-style church, on Silver Street, is under constant attack from the elements and has reached a stage where considerable repair work is necessary.

The Grade II* listed building was built in 1835 and was designed by the architect Mr E Goodridge of Bath, who was also the architect of the Old Chapel at Downside Abbey.

Parish priest, Fr Anthony Cockram, said: “I was delighted to celebrate the first Mass on the 10th June following the restoration work to the exterior and the wonderful redecoration and rewiring of the interior.

"It is almost exactly four years since the Parish commissioned a survey aimed at seeking grants to help with the costs of the work.

"Now, at last, we can give thanks that its peaceful beauty and stability will be enjoyed by many generations to come."

The cost came to around £250,000, with £200,000 of which being covered by a number of charitable organisations including Historic England Culture Recovery Fund, Dorset Historic Churches Trust, Lyme Regis Town Council, Allchurches Trust Ltd., Charlotte Marshall Charitable Trust and Axe Vale Festival Ltd.

The balance was made up of donations, fundraising and parish savings.

Some further works still need to be completed, including the repairs and redecoration of the main entrance door, replacement of the long glass window in the Bell Tower and repairs to the two leaded glass windows on the north elevation of the Church.

This will cost a further £25,000 and it is hoped that the main entrance door and the Bell Tower window will be addressed in the autumn and the leaded windows in 2022.