THE Church of St Michael de Rupe at Brentor finally re-opens to the public today (Thursday) — six months after being closed due to the foot and mouth crisis.

The re-opening of the tiny church perched on the tor has been greeted with delight in the village.

Landlady of the Brentor Inn Julie Fisher said: 'Everybody is just so excited here — we've been fighting for this for a long time.

'My mum is the organist up there and she's just dying to get back up there and play!'

Julie said the closure of the church, which is visited by thousands of visitors and local people every year, has had a severe effect on her business.

'Hopefully, with the Bank Holiday weekend coming, lots of people will come back to visit,' she said.

A service to celebrate the re-opening will be held by local clergy at 6.30pm on Sunday.

Assistant curate Robert Ormsby said: 'Everybody connected with the church or tourism is going to be very happy at the re-opening, because we have all missed out.

'Local people are very proud of our church on the tor and it's been a crying shame to have been kept away from it.'

Nadia Nuaimi, DEFRA spokesperson, said: 'I would imagine Brentor Church falls within the restriction area of form A premises.'

She said a period of time must elapse after cleansing and disinfection procedures had taken place before areas could be fully re-opened.

John Weir of Dartmoor National Park Authority said rangers were due to remove closure signs at the church and car park yesterday (Wednesday).

'It's very good news,' he said. 'With the exception of the Dunnabridge area, virtually full public access to Dartmoor exists — this prominent local landmark has certainly been missed by many.'