A MAJOR restoration project to restore a historic West Devon church tower has been completed and celebrated with a service of rededication last Sunday.

A congregation of more than 80 from across the Tamar Mission Community attended the service for the tower of St Peter's, Lamerton, led by the Rev Preb Tim Deacon, Rector of St.Mary's Lifton.

St Peter's Church was built in the early 15th century but was virtually destroyed by a huge fire in 1877 — the church tower was the only part of the original building to be saved, the rest of the church being rebuilt.

Following regular inspection several years ago, it was discovered that there was a significant risk of falling masonry from the tower and that there were serious damp problems with rotten floor beams and water running through the electrical fuse boxes. Estimates for curing these problems were to be in the region of £200,000.

In 2009 fundraising was started with the Heaven in Devon Festival held in the village. Since then there has been a fund raising event almost every month. Most of these were organised by the parochial church council, but many were arranged by individuals. Concerts, sponsored cycle rides, walks and talks, donations from wedding anniversaries and birthdays all helped to raise a total of more than £36,000 for the tower fund.

Ian Minshull, church warden, said: 'Work started in March this year and was completed before schedule.

'All the old cement mortar in the joints was removed and replaced with lime mortar. The pinnacles had many holes drilled into them which then had stainless steel rods bonded into them, the roof was re-surfaced and steel supports strengthened it.

'Rotten beams and floor boards were replaced and vents fitted into windows to allow better ventilation.'

Mr Minshull said the church was extremely grateful for grant funding totalling £155,000 from various funding bodies, which enabled the work to be carried out. These included English Heritage, The National Churches Trust, Devon Historic Churches Trust, The Wolfson Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, All Churches Trust, The Cooper Legacy, The Alan Evans Memorial Trust, Pennon Environmental Fund and the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Mr Minshull said: 'We would also like to thank our architects, Parkes Lees Ltd and our contactors Nimbus Conservation Ltd, WT Scaffolding and Minster Glass for a very professional job well done.'

Mr Minshull said he and his fellow church warden Michael Jefferies would like to thank all who contributed to the successful restoration of St Peter's tower.

'The work done will mean that the tower will stand safely and weather proof for many years to come,' he said.