FLAXLEY Church Parochial Church Council is overjoyed by an £8,000 grant from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust towards the cost of re-roofing the church nave.

The pretty Grade 2* late Victorian church in a beautiful valley setting had already received a 'generous' grant from English Heritage, but there was still a shortfall of some £30,000.

"The Parochial Church Council and the Friends of Flaxley Church have been working hard to raise funds to carry out these essential repairs and the grant from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust is a welcome boost to their efforts," said the Rev Ian Gobey, chairman of the PCC.

"We are very grateful to Cory Environmental for this funding, which will help pay for this project. The work is due to be completed in March 2010."

The project has also received a grant from Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust, together with individual donations. However, the funding target has not yet been reached and further donations would be welcome, says the PCC.

The money from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust has been contributed through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.