A WEST Devon church will be hosting a community open day next month, to share the results of an on-going conservation project to save a piece of historic art.

St Michael and All Angels' Church in Princetown is undergoing more than £90,000 worth of specialist conservation work to repair its rare stained and painted east window.

The church is under the custodianship of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), the national charity protecting historic churches at risk, which is hosting the event.

Activities throughout the day include demonstrations of glass conservation techniques, church tours, arts and crafts workshops, apple-bobbing and, weather-permitting, trips up the tower to enjoy the uninterrupted 'bird's eye' view of the moor. Entry is free and refreshments will be available.

Dr Neil Rushton, conservation project manager at CCT, said: 'The Window in Time conservation project has been a real community effort, with fantastic support from local people, church volunteers and Princetown Primary School.

'To say thank you and to share the wonderful conservation work that's taking place we've planned a free day of fun activities for everyone to take part in and enjoy.'

St Michael and All Angels' is a Grade II Listed church, built to serve nearby Dartmoor Prison, which held more than 3,000 prisoners of war during the American War of 1812 and the Napoleonic Wars with France.

The church's delicate, intricately painted east window, which depicts the life of Christ, was donated in 1910 as a memorial to the US soldiers who perished while incarcerated in the prison.

'The church's east window is a rare example of painted and stained glass,' said Dr Rushton,

'Thanks to local fundraising efforts and the generosity of bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, a team of experts is now repairing damage caused to the glass and surrounding metal and stone by the harsh Dartmoor weather, ensuring that the window can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.'

The window has been removed from the church for ten weeks to allow careful and detailed work to take place.

In the meantime a temporary window designed and decorated by Princetown Primary School pupils has been installed in its place.

A special 'Grand Reveal' event will take place in the church in November, following the reinstatement of the repaired window.

The open day will take place on Saturday, October 5, from 11am to 3pm.