A church that has been closed since 2023 is hopeful of completing “vital” renovation work this summer.

St Matthew’s Church in Netley Marsh closed in October 2023 after high water levels within the church caused damp to the main floor and crypt, meaning both needed replacing.

More than £80,000 has been raised towards the renovation of the church – that dates back to 1855 – in the last decade, but despite fundraising efforts St Matthew’s Church has remained closed for 18 months, causing weddings to be cancelled due to delays with the planned works.

However, the Reverend John Reeve, is now optimistic the church will finally be able to reopen its doors again following extensive refurbishment work.

The vicar of St Matthew’s Church said: “We are really excited with the anticipation of restoration works being completed over the next five months.

“Our contractors have been working with us in a fantastic way as there have been many delays as we have navigated the challenges which restoring such a historic building has brought.

“We are incredibly blessed by the extent of community support for the works, and this has now enabled us to believe something really very good will be accomplished both for the church and our wider community.”

READ MORE: St Matthew's Church weddings cancelled due to repair delay

Inside St Matthew's Church (Image: Newsquest) Renovation works to the church took longer than expected as the chancel began to collapse after initial excavation works, resulting in the chancel being rebuilt.

Subsidence on the church floor was also worse than expected, causing further delays, before insulation and underfloor heating could be installed in the historic building.

Dave Martin has been attending services at the church for three years and is a member of its committee.

He said: “It’s taken a lot longer than expected but we’re really pleased to be able to be moving forward and are confident of finally reopening this year.

“We’ve had to take everything one step at a time due to the complex nature of the work.

“People have cancelled weddings, and we keep getting asked when normal services will return to the church, so to be in a place where we’re moving forward and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel is great. We’re really positive about it.”