AN historic church that has undergone an extensive £500,000 renovation is opening its doors to the public later this month.

St John’s, Sharow, near Ripon has been clad in scaffolding for many months to enable works including the conservation of its stained glass and wall paintings as well as the construction of new, modern facilities.

Now, nearly half a million pounds of Heritage Lottery money later, the church is throwing open its doors to the community and inviting everyone to come and celebrate the reopening.

The celebration will open at 12.30pm on April 29 with The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, the Very Reverend John Dobson, cutting the ribbon.

Visitors will be given tours around the building from the church’s heritage officer, the chance to meet the conservators and to see an exhibition of the work’s progress.

Refreshments, live music and stained glass workshops will take place throughout the afternoon alongside family activities and walking trails.

A celebratory service will be held at 6pm, followed by live music and refreshments.