BEAMS dating back more than 1,000 years have been uncovered at a Ribble Valley church during a £250,000 restoration programme.

The Reverend John Birbeck said that the beams are believed to pre-date All Hallows' Church in Mitton.

The £250,000 millennium project, which is due to be completed by November, plans to transform the church, restoring it to its natural glory.

Mr Birbeck said: "The work so far has revealed a new vistor. The organ was taken out and sent to Australia for use by a boys' school in Sydney, and made space for two meeting rooms in the gallery. "A great west window has been revealed and it has flooded the church with light, which has been blocked out for 200 years.

"We have also uncovered beams that we understand are from an abbey and pre-date the church, which was built in about 1270. That would make them about 1,000 years old."

The grand scheme also involves levelling the floor and matching new carpets and lighting to old tiles in the chancel.

"The name All Hallows' means making holy and there are crown symbols in the church, which are symbolic of our lives. These will be reflected in the carpet and lighting," said Mr Birbeck.

The project has been funded by £40,000 from church funds, £40,000 raised and donated by parishioners and also a substantial amount from the sale of property.

"We have had a lot of support and to think that our average attendance is about 40 on a Sunday, its wonderful. There are only about 250 people living in the village," said Mr Birbeck.

A grand reopening ceremony is planned for December 10.