A LONG-AWAITED refurbishment to a church has started in Pilning.

Builders from Helm Construction are currently carrying out work to modernise St Peter’s Church.

They are improving the flooring, seating, and lighting to improve audio visual sound facilities.

Churchwarden Jonathan Edwardes said: “Although St Peter’s is mainly used for worship our hope is to extend our repertoire to include concerts and meetings.

“We are very excited to have finally been given the go-ahead as the reordering project was first suggested seven and a half years ago.

“We chose Helm because they are a local firm but we had also received positive feedback from Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, where the company completed a major refurbishment scheme.”

St Peter’s Church was built in 1855 to serve the new village of Pilning – which was established alongside the construction works for the Severn Tunnel.

The church’s Sunday Services are being held at Mafeking Hall, Coalpit Heath, while the work goes ahead but they expect that it will be complete in time for their Easter celebrations.

Helm Construction’s contracts manager Kim Richings said: “We are always glad to help our neighbours out and are pleased to have been appointed to carry out the reordering work.

“St Peter’s Church is one of the most familiar buildings in the village and our sympathetic and flexible approach will be crucial to the congregation and local residents.”