BLOCKEY'S St Peter and St Paul's Church congregation is rejoicing in the news it has been successful in its bid for roof repair funding.

The church, home of the BBC series Father Brown, has been awarded £60,200 for essential repairs from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

"We are all delighted," said Reverend Dana Delap. "Our church is an important symbol of village life, and the congregation work hard to look after the building. Historic buildings are difficult to maintain and in recent years we have made significant repairs to the roof and windows.

"We are one of the 502 churches across the country to have been awarded a grant, and it means we can start the project to make the Blockley Church tower watertight. This is phase one of our church development which will also include refurbishment of the glorious peal of eight bells, repainting the blue and gold clock face and, finally, and perhaps most importantly, reopening a medieval doorway so that we can use the base of the tower.

"This will help us to improve our welcome, with a new toilet and kitchen, and to provide a new resource for our children. All this will enhance the long term sustainability of the church.

"It’s exciting to have such an endorsement of our vision for all that the church in Blockley might become, and means we can look ahead to the future with real optimism."

Ms Delap said filming for the latest series of Father Brown will be finished in September and work on the church tower will begin then