Rates to cover church shortfall

St Peter Port rate payers might have to foot the bill

St Peter Port rate payers could be left with a £100,000 bill following the restoration of Guernsey's Town Church.

Work at the church is nearing completion and it should be open within a fortnight, after being closed for about 10 months.

Church Warden Ellis Bebb said the project went over budget because of unforeseen problems.

It could cost the average household in the parish an extra £10 a year for two years.

The last service at the church was on Christmas Day, and originally the intention was to open it to the public again for Liberation Day in May.

However the restoration project went over budget and a loan had to be taken out to make up the shortfall.