PARISHIONERS in Newbridge have already secured £82,000 of the £89,000 needed towards vital repairs on what was described as "the focal point of the community".

Grants of £55,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £27,000 from the European Union means that work to the grade-two listed St Paul's Church is within touching distance.

The money means that work to repair the roof, walls and pipes by the Parochial Church Council  can take place after locals have raised the remaining £7,000.

Attendances to Sunday services at the High Street building range between 40 and 60 and curate Father Ronald Jefford said: "The church plays a significant part in the lives of the people of Newbridge. It is the focal point of the community."

He said that as well as repairing the roof, one of the main jobs is on the walls, which are "protected by weather boards, chipboard and polythene sheets".

The church seats 400 people and Father Jefford described it as "very large, very beautiful" church,  but said it should have been double the size.

Original plans were for a chapel either side of the knave, but when it was consecrated in 1928, these had not been built.

He added: "From a financial position, I'm really glad they were never finished as we would never have been able to support a church of that size."

Father Jefford oversees the church along with his wife, Reverend Margaret Jefford, who thanked the grant bodies, but said a lot of work in fundraising lies ahead for locals.

If you would like to donate or have fundraising ideas, call treasurer Mark Bolwell on 01495 227840.