Piece by piece, the restored Forster and Andrews organ is being returned to St Mary's Church after almost six months of work.

But the improved organ has not simply been returned to its previous position. During its absence, a new gallery has been built where the organ will take pride of place.

With the help of temporary scaffolding in the chancel, the organ is being rebuilt piece by piece and church leaders hope the work will be completed by the end of the month.

Then, all that will remain to do is install the glass balustrade on the gallery at the beginning of March.

The restoration work has been made possible thanks to the generosity of local people who helped raise more than half of the total needed, along with a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Organist John Townend said it was a joy to see the historic organ come back looking so good, with everything shiny and burnished and ready for another 100 years of music-making.

"If it sounds as good as it looks I'll be delighted" he added.

The church hopes to organise a series of events to allow the community -especially those who supported the project - to hear the restored organ in action.