A 12th century church is benefiting from major repairs to its spire.

Woodpeckers have damaged the cladding of the spire on the Grade II* listed All Saints’ Church in Great Braxted.

The church received £47,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in June 2014.

As well as this, the Friends of Essex Churches gave them £10,000 and the church raised the rest of the £70,000 needed.

Fabric officer Mike Puttick said: “They have taken off all the old shingles - wooden tiles - and are replacing them with oak ones.

“The woodpeckers shouldn’t be able to peck through and there will be tin behind it.

“There is a barn owl which nests in the turret and we are going to put a big wooden nesting box up for him.

“It is a beautiful church and there are not many which are 900 years old around any more.”

Extensive masonry repairs will also be carried out including the repointing and replacement of damaged stones and bricks.

The church website will include information about the history and architecture of the church to encourage more people to visit.

It is also planned that adult courses on masonry, stained glass, carpentry techniques and landscape archaeology will be offered at the church.