THORNBURY’S 12th century parish church looks set for a 21st century makeover.

Leaders at St Mary’s Church have decided that to help meet modern needs the building should have a stylish mezzanine floor installed.

Members of the Parochial Church Council voted for the alterations at a meeting held this week, which followed several weeks of consultation with parishioners.

Along with the mezzanine floor, alterations also include a new stairway and lift to the new second floor, a new Tower room, additional meeting areas and seating space, as well as enhanced kitchen and toilets facilities and new disabled toilets.

Rev David Primrose, vicar at St Mary’s Church, said: "This was the preferred option by most people including all the groups involved, members of the council and members of the public who commented.

"This design will change the church quite strongly and allow the back of the church to become a lovely area in which people will feel very much at ease.

"It will give the main portion of the church a sense of reverence where we worship and pray."

This part of the reordering project for St Mary’s Church will cost an estimated £80,000.

Last month the Parochial Church Council voted that on the removal of the Victorian pews a new floor should be laid, differentiating between worship and fellowship areas in the building.

To mark the completion of the first stages of the designing process for the reordering at St Mary’s Church, two open meetings are to be held later this month.

On Saturday, December 13, at 11am and 6pm, Mr Primrose will hold open meetings about the recent decisions of the Parochial Church Council.

He said: "In the last two months we have turned some major corners that will now open up some more possibilities.

"At our open meeting we will present to people who come the progress we have made this year.

"In the New Year some more detailed work will begin with the architects and the council will be making a series of decisions on a monthly basis. Prior to each decision we will consult with the community with their views."

For more information about the reordering of St Mary’s Church visit www.thornburyparish.org.