WORK has started on repairs to an historic village church.

The alterations are underway at St Boniface, Bunbury, which dates back to the 14th century.

It is one of the few Anglican churches dedicated to the missionary and saint.

Plans for the work were displayed last summer and a faculty, an ecclesiastical permission, has now been received.

The parochial church council plans to lower the nave floors to the level of the original aisle, improve the area around the font, empty a porch and refit it for storage and carry out repairs to the tower.

Urgent repointing has been added to the list.

Churchwarden Mr Walter Done says work on the floors should be completed by Easter.

“The idea is to maker the nave a more flexible area and by taking out the step a major tripping hazard will be removed,” says Mr Done.

The rest of the work will follow when funds allow.

The church has recently suffered vandalism to a glazed lantern above memorial gates at St Boniface.

Mr Done says the likely cost of repairs would be a morning’s collection.