A total of £100,000 has been raised towards vital repairs to the Bedingfeld Chapel adjoining the village's St John the Evangelist Church.

Hardworking villagers and supporters raised nearly half the amount by organising a variety of events. Grants have also been received from the English Heritage Lottery Fund, the Norfolk Churches' Trust, the National Churches' Trust and other smaller charities.

The secretary of the Friends of Oxborough Church, Valerie O'Dwyer, said fundraising to preserve the church had been ongoing for more than 14 years.

"It's like a dream to see work is now under way on the chapel," she said.

bats

The building is so fragile that scaffolding has been erected over the top while the roof is re-leaded. Three types of bat roost in the roof so the work is having to be carried out before they return in May.

A dendrochronologist has visited the site to date the original beams. An innovative heat treatment known as Thermo Lignum is being used to cure infestations in and dry out the ancient timbers.

The work is due to be completed by the end of July, after which the chapel and its treasures will be reopened to the public following a two-year closure.

Of special interest to visitors will be monuments to the Bedingfeld family, of Oxburgh Hall, and two rare 15th century terracotta screens or tombs.

Mrs O'Dwyer said: "There are only two sets of these screens known in the country. People come from round the world to see them."