THE medieval turret of a church has been restored to its former glory after it was besieged by Woodpeckers.

The bell turret of the church of St Michael and All Angels at Knighton-on-Teme is finally complete after a three-and-a-half year restoration project.

This major undertaking had a total cost of £213,000, and saves a key feature of this important church which dates back to Norman times.

The turret, built in 1200, was at risk because the existing cedar shingle roofing had been attacked by Green Woodpeckers allowing water to penetrate and causing rotting of the timbers inside.

When the original roof was removed, it became apparent that no maintenance had been carried out on the structure since it was built 800 years ago.

The funding to replace the unique and sophisticated turret was raised largely thanks to two grants from the Heritage Lottery fund, which contributed around 70 per cent of the total.

The balance of funding came from local church funds, a number of community fund raising activities, and some substantial private donations.

Peter Morgan, project leader and church member, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and to all those who supported this very special project; without their help it could not have gone ahead.

"Although the Green Woodpeckers are beautiful, they’ve been unwelcome visitors to our church - not least to the church architect, John Wheatley, who was once attacked by them while making an inspection.

"The damage to the old oak structure required specialist repair techniques and the turret has now been re-roofed with oak boarding covered by riven oak shingles, proof against woodpeckers of any hue.

"The completed turret roof is now a rich golden colour, but will weather over the next year or so to a silver/grey colour and should remain so for its life, estimated to be about one hundred and twenty years.”

The project to repair the roof has had considerable support from across the community through fund raising in innovative ways and through voluntary work in managing the project.

A group of 24 children in years 5 and 6 from the local school Lindridge C of E Primary School, studied the turret, the history of the church and its surroundings and incorporated this into a successful wider educational Project under the guidance of their teacher, Sarah Sneyd.