A VILLAGE church is on its way to becoming the hub of the community, thanks to a £121,000 refurbishment.

Building work is under way in St Mary Magdalene, Medomsley, near Consett, to turn part of the Grade I listed building into a meeting room and kitchen.

The congregation began planning the changes almost ten years ago, but struggled to find the funds.

Jill Jackson, church warden, said: "We thought we would never get there, so this is a dream come true."

Work started after the church secured a £97,000 grant from English Heritage. The rest of the cash came in from villagers who held fundraising events.

The new facilities will include a toilet with disabled access and a kitchen as well as a meeting room which will be heated separately to the rest of the church.

"We want to have more activities in church during the week," said Miss Jackson. "We hope it will be a facility that the village can use as well."

The refurbishment work also turned up a forgotten treasure - a stained glass window.

Any alterations to a church have to be passed by the Diocese Advisory Committee. They sent in a team of experts to examine the building and discovered the small, round window by chance.

"They weren't expecting it to be here and we were not aware of it at all, so it was a nice surprise," said Miss Jackson.

The 16th Century roundel window is Flemish by design and a rarity in the North-East. It has been restored by the York Glaziers Trust.

The church was built in 1170 and originally had a flat roof. A lady chapel was added in 1878. The first school in the village was held in the church porch for several years.

The refurbishment is expected to be finished next month, in time for the official opening on Sunday, September 21.

Celebrations will start on Saturday, September 20, with a youth event. There will be a flower festival in church the following day, before the Archdeacon of Durham, The Venerable Stephen Conway, performs the official dedication ceremony at 6pm.