WORK to re-wire and re-light St Martin’s Church in London Road, Worcester, is going ahead.

The church has raised £80,000 towards its target of slightly more than £90,000, as part of the St Martin’s Interior Lighting and Electrics (SMILE) appeal, and contractors will start the project in February.

The work aims to update existing electrical work in the church’s nave, which is now more than100 years old, and will install energy efficient LED lamps that can create different moods for different uses.

During the work the nave will be closed from Thursday, February 12, to Saturday, March 14, but all of the church’s activities will carry on as usual.

Services and meetings will be held in either the parish centre opposite the church in Victoria Avenue or in the lower vestry under the nave.

David Scott, a member of the parochial church council, said: “Because the Nave is so high specialist equipment is being brought in to install the new lighting, so it was considered safer and more cost-effective to close the nave to general use for the duration of the work.

“Currently the SMILE appeal stands at just over £80,000 so a huge amount of fundraising has been done with donations from individuals, fundraising events, businesses and charitable trusts.

“St Martin’s is very grateful to all who have generously donated.”

For more information visit stmartinsworcester.org.uk