Eight weeks of road closures have been announced as vital works to repair St Mary's Church near completion.

Through its Campaign 2023 project, St Mary's has been trying to raise £1.8 million for repointing, pointing, repairing and replacing the eroded stonework in time for the church's 900th anniversary this year.

Works on site have been ongoing over the past year, and the church is now preparing for phase three of the project.

Roads around the church will be closed while the scaffolding is removed (image by Geoff Ousbey)

A recent update in the church's online newsletter said: "St Mary's tower project is near completion.

"In order to enable the removal of the scaffolding, and to ensure public safety whilst this work takes place, the roads surrounding the church will need to be closed for approximately eight weeks."

Closures will impact Northgate Street, Church Street and Old Square and will start on January 22 - according to the Warwickshire County Council website.

The local authority says closures will be lifted on April 19.

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Parking will be suspended around the church and a one-way system will be in effect to divert vehicles.

St Mary's Church has undergone a major restoration project (image by Geoff Ousbey)

"We are doing what we can to work with these issues and expect to be in a position to ask the council to re-open the roads in early March," the newsletter added.

"We do apologise for the length of time that these roads will be closed and for the disruption this will cause.

"We understand the difficulties that this can cause surrounding communities and would like to thank you for your continued patience."

St Mary's, which was founded on its present site in 1123 by Roger de Newburgh, is one of the UK's oldest major churches. 

The church has received donations from a number of sources including Warwick District Council and the National Churches Trust.

An appeal was also recorded by Dame Judi Dench urging people to support the project.

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