THE rebuilding of St Mary’s Church in March - gutted by fire almost three years ago - will take at least another year to complete, members of March Museum were told when they toured the building.

Another �30,000 is still needed to complete the necessary work, and Rev Anthony Chandler would love to hear from anyone who can help with raising the cash.

Museum members were reminded of the fateful day of March 15 2010, when arsonists set fire to the church at Westry, when the heat of the fire was so intense that much of the stone was rendered useless and had to be replaced.

Writing on the Shape Your Place website, Joan Munns from the museum said: “Rev Chandler explained to what lengths the arsonists took to make sure the church was destroyed. The porch window used to gain entry to the Church is about the size of a piece of A4 paper.

“The entire roof has been recreated using precise measurements obtained by the examination of charred remains. Every detail has been put back just as in the original.”

Among the work still outstanding is the water supply and toilet, the floor, plastering, the organ, hearing, furnishing and IT facilities.

Mrs Munns added: “Insurance only covered restoring the church exactly as it was before the fire. Changing anything costs more, and the generosity of everyone has so far raised �70,000 of the �100,000 needed.

“Rev Chandler is hoping to tap into some small grants that may be available, but if there is anyone with money burning holes in their pockets he would like to hear from them.”