A historic church which was gutted by a devastating fire seven years ago will complete its rise from the ashes this weekend with a service of re-dedication.

About 200 parishioners, former clergy and invited guests will attend the service at St Brandon's Church, in Brancepeth, near Durham City at 10.15am tomorrow.

The service, led by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, is being held as an opportunity for the parish to thank all those involved in the £3m restoration of the 900-year-old church.

In September 1998 the grade one listed building was almost destroyed when fire swept through its ancient heart.

The inferno was so intense that temperatures reached 1,200 degrees centigrade.

Intricate woodwork dating back to the 17th Century was destroyed and the Norman building was reduced to a blackened shell.

A fundraising appeal was launched by the Duke of York and while restoration work was carried out services were held in the nearby village hall and, occasionally, Brancepeth Castle.

Now, after seven years of work, the church has been restored to its former glory and the congregation will return to St Brandon's tomorrow.

A procession will set off from the village hall tomorrow morning - led by a crucifix carved from one of the few remaining charred roof timbers.

The service has been planned by the present Dean of Litchfield, Adrian Dorber, who was priest-in-charge of St Brandon's at the time of the fire. He will be joined by four other former clergymen from the parish, including two retired bishops.