WORK to weatherproof historic St Nicholas and St John's Church in Newchurch has been delayed.

It had been hoped that the £220,000 work would be nearing completion at the end of October, but while the work was being carried out on the tower one of the timbers supporting the roof was found to have dry rot.

The church, which has roots dating back to 1511 has continued open throughout the work although the tower had to be covered while the pointing was replaced and the structure re-roofed.

The Rev Charles Ellis, who has been at the church since Easter 1999, said: "We don't know yet how much it is going to cost to have the timber replaced and it will probably be the New Year before we will now be in a position to say the work is completed and hold a thanksgiving service."

Because the church had been left money several years ago, it was not eligible to get any grant funding to help pay for the work.