A TAVISTOCK company is playing an integral part in the resurrection of a Dartmoor church burnt to the ground in an arson attack.

Steeltech, based at Pitts Cleave industrial estate on the outskirts of the town, has almost completed the first phase in the construction of steelwork destined for the new St Luke's church at Buckfastleigh.

'We are proud to be involved in this project. It will be the first new Church of England church to be built in Devon for 34 years,' said Steeltech boss Bill Phillott. 'The architects have designed a technically challenging, modern structure, which will undoubtedly be a 21st century landmark.

'Because of the church's unusual shape and size, the steelwork is very complex and a test of our manufacturing ability, but this is the type of work we designed our new facility at Pitts Cleave to handle and we are really pleased with how well things are going.'

The first phase of the steel work is going through the factory at the moment. The second stage is due for construction next month and the framework will be erected on site in early March.

'The 70 tonnes of steel that forms the skeleton of the 60ft high building will then be visible and it will be possible to gauge what an impressive structure it will be,' said Mr Phillott.

'This project is a once-in-a-lifetime engineering opportunity and it is satisfying to think something as special as this could be detailed and manufactured in Tavistock.'

The Rev John Rowland, vicar of Buckfastleigh, said the new church will have a matt finish stainless steel roof and textured block and is expected to be finished mid-summer.

As well as the church itself, the centre will house the church hall, lounge and kitchens.

The Bishop of Exeter is due to consecrate the building on St Luke's day October 18, 2001.

The original Holy Trinity Parish Church, built on a hill behind the town, was destroyed on July 20 1992.

After years of wrangling in the community about the future of its church, some consolidation work has been carried out on the burnt-out structure and it is now used for the occasional outdoor service and theatre production.

The new church is to be built on the town centre site of the old St Luke's chapel.

Most of the estimated rebuilding costs of £900,000 have been met by the insurance payout and locally-born architect Ron Weeks stepped in to design the bold new structure.

Mr Weeks, chairman of the Percy Thomas partnership in London, was the designer of the new Severn Bridge and Bristol's Roman Catholic Cathedral.

The main contractor, Carkeek's in Plymouth, called in the official receiver on Monday. Mr Phillott said it was 'nuisance', but predicted the project would go ahead.