HISTORIC St John the Baptist Church in Halesowen will be the venue for the first in a series of heritage tours taking place this year.

Dudley borough’s oldest working building – with more than 900 years of continuous use – will be explored as part of the tour, which will take place from 4.30pm on Saturday, January 27.

During the tour, visitors will learn about the story of the High Street church before and after the Norman Conquest.

The visit will include introductions to the Anglo Saxon parish and evidence for a pre-conquest church and information about the Norman foundation and subsequent building phases.

As well as a guided tour of the building, visitors will be invited on either tour of exterior of the building or a limited opportunity to view some lower parts of the tower.

Entry to the heritage tour cost £5 on the door, including complementary tea and cake.

For more information about the tour call Mike Brown 0121 602 4173, or Adrian Jones 0121 602 2577.