Church mission almost at an end

Now the church is used for occasional services and for prayer meetings

Resoration work on a church which lay hidden for decades is almost done - thanks largely to one man.

Grade I listed St Mary's at Houghton-on-the-Hill, which fell into disrepair in the 1920s, has dominated Bob Davey's life for 12 years.

In 1992 ivy covered the tower, the roof had collapsed, windows were broken and it was used by devil worshippers.

Over the years he has raised £130,000 to restore the church where repairs are now almost complete.

Bob Davey has raised £130,000 for the restoration

Mr Davey, 75, believes he was called on by God to devote his life to restoring the church which these days is used for occasional services and for prayer meetings.

Now he wants the church's wall paintings, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, to be uncovered.

"There are two other layers on top and the problem is you have to destroy those to get at the lower level and there is some hesitation about destroying 13 and 14th Century wall paintings

"But I still want to get to the lower level which is the most important and completely unique," he said.

Once that has happened, Mr Davey believes he will feel his work has been done.