REPAIRS to a church roof in Bassingbourn have been completed in time for Christmas, but another £30,000 needs to be raised to pay for the work. Work on the roof at the ancient parish church of St Peter and St Paul, on North End, began in early August. The

REPAIRS to a church roof in Bassingbourn have been completed in time for Christmas, but another £30,000 needs to be raised to pay for the work.

Work on the roof at the ancient parish church of St Peter and St Paul, on North End, began in early August. The total cost of the project has been over £180,000.

As the church is a grade one listed building, much of the cost has been met by an English Heritage grant and the VAT rebate scheme.

Church warden John Simpson said that there was still a lot of work to do to raise the rest of the money.

He said: "We are going to have fundraising events throughout the first half of next year and hopefully we can reach our target then."

The church was helped by the local church community, who donated £30,000 towards the cost of the project.

In September, a three-day Bible reading marathon at the church raised a further £15,000.

There will be a chance for people to see the improvements, as the church holds a Christmas concert on Saturday and a carol service on Sunday.

Mr Simpson said: "It is very exciting because in the last week we have taken the scaffolding down and it just looks fantastic.

"We weren't sure it was going to be finished by Christmas so it is a real relief.