RESTORATION work at a Hampshire church has uncovered wall paintings that have been hidden from view for more than a century.

Rumours that a plain wall at St Peter and St Paul's Church in Ringwood concealed a colourful secret have proved to be true.

When the church was rebuilt in the 1850s the east wall of the chancel was covered in eye-catching paintings of biblical figures.

But they were painted over in 1906 after they were damaged by a water leak and repairs were deemed to be too costly.

For more than 100 years no-one knew if anything had survived under all the emulsion.

Now the paintings are being revealed in all their glory by conservation expert Peter Martindale, who has begun the painstaking task of removing the paint.

He said: "Considering the age of the paintings and what has happened over the decades, their overall condition is very good.

"The fact they echo the style of the stained glass leads me to suggest that the interior of the chancel would have been stunning in the 1870s.

"We are hoping to bring some of that back through the programme of conservation which includes uncovering, consolidation and retouching/reconstruction."

Churchwarden Jacqueline Brown added: "The east end of the chancel is the focus of the church - the stained glass is of national significance.

"The east wall is huge - 13 metres high - and four tiers of scaffolding are needed for the paint conservator to do his work."

The vicar, the Rev Matthew Trick, said: "The paintings bring the message alive in a way beyond words."

The Grade II-listed building is one of five churches serving Ringwood and the neighbouring communities of Ellingham and Harbridge.

There has been a church on the site for more than 1,000 years and the current Victorian building, built between 1853 and 1855, is the third to occupy the site.

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