A REDEDICATION service of Llanvapley Church, which has undergone almost £250,000 of restoration work, took place this weekend following years of hard work by the local community.

Some three years ago St Mabli's Church was closed because it was deemed too dangerous to use as a result of the deterioration of the roof.

The Church in Wales challenged the village of Llanfapley to either raise the money to restore it or the church would be closed.

The reverend David Osborn, vicar of Llanfapley said, "Having suffered the loss of the village pub, the village, especially the non-churchgoers decided to do something about it. A restoration group was formed, architects consulted and grants applied for, as well as local money raising activities. The project has eventually cost about £250,000 million raised largely from CADW and the National Heritage Fund.

"There have lots of inevitable delays and difficulties that are associated with ancient buildings, but what has emerged is both a new church and a new congregation. Both the exterior and interior look stunning. There is a completely new roof and a new congregation."

The rededication service was led by the Bishop of Monmouth, the Rt Revd Dominic Walker and the MP for Monmouthshire David Davies read a lesson.

"The village has been consulted about how the church is to be used and our hope is that it won't just be for services. The village would like to see concerts, exhibitions and things celebrating rural Monmouthshire life. The PCC will consider all the ideas at an away day on June 13," Rev Osborn added.