WORK has been able to restart in a long-running saga to improve access to a landmark Tenbury church.

Planning permission was granted in July 2019 by Malvern Hills District Council for the installation of an external ramp and new path access to St Michael's Church in Tenbury.

The permission was granted with conditions including requirements for archaeological investigation works to be carried out before work could commence.

Work eventually started in 2023, after funding was achieved, but had to be put on hold after a visit from a planning enforcement officer in October due to an oversight regarding archaeology.

But now, after further work in the background, those behind the project have been given permission for the external work on the disabled access to recommence.

Inside the church, further works have also been taking place, with work nearly complete on the galley kitchen and toilet, together with step-free access to the nave with money provided by the David and Christine Lloyd Jones Foundation.

The news that work can start again comes at a key moment, with the publication of the music and events at St Michaels 2024 programme, said Tony Penn, vice chair of the parochial church council.

This contains many popular regular annual events and visits by leading choirs, and has a few surprises too. These include the brainchild of Andrew Cook, An Evening at Hogwarts in November, for which the church provides the perfect backdrop.