ONE of the smallest churches in Winchester is embroiled in one of the biggest restoration projects seen in the city in decades.

St John the Baptist in St John's Street is said to be the oldest parish church in Winchester enjoying probably the finest view across the city.

It only has 49 people on its roll but has embarked on a £700,000 restoration project including major repairs to the roof.

Churchwarden David Stirrup said phase one was supposed to have finished at the end of October but would now stretch into the new year. Its cost has leapt from £250,000 to £295,000.

Mr Stirrup, pictured, said: "Some of the roof timbers are significantly more decayed than we had hoped. The contractors have had to make a lot of steel pieces to pin the timbers. We are possibly the smallest congregation doing one of the biggest projects. We are all hanging on in there."

The project also includes building a small extension to allow the church to be used for community activities.

To part-fund the project, the nearby church hall has been sold for an undisclosed six-figure sum to Hartley House Montessori who will convert it into a school.

The work has enforced the closure of St John's Street to allow workmen free access.

The new completion date for the project is mid-2005 and possibly later, said Mr Stirrup.