WORK started this week at St Cadoc's Church, Raglan, as part of the Raise the Roof campaign.

The appeal aims to raise £40,000 to have the roof of the 15th Century church restored, as many of the stone tiles are damaged or missing and the leading is in poor condition.

With water beginning to get into the roof, there are fears that severe damage will be done to the building without repairs being carried out.

On Friday 27th March, a large number of different roles came together for the first time to see work get underway. The project management committee were joined by the architect, structural engineer, asbestos surveyors, ecologists, archaeologists and builders for the first time in one place.

The roof was looked at in detail by the architect and sections of the wooden floor boards were pulled up to analyse the floor beneath.

Along with the roof repairs, St Cadoc's also plans to create a greater community space within the church. A small kitchen will be installed in the bell ringing chamber at the base of the bell tower, and level access will be installed from the graveyard gate, through the porch and into the rear of the nave to allow for easy wheelchair access.

A number of fundraising events are planned for later in the year with a sponsored abseil down the bell tower, grand raffle, ceilidh and hog roast, treasure hunt, quiz and curry night, auction of promises and calendar competition all in the diary.

More than £17,800 has been raised so far by the community since October 2014.