One of the area’s most historic churches is getting a much-needed makeover.

Thornhill Parish Church, which can trace its history back to the 9th century, is undergoing major renovations.

Work has just started on the latest phase, which involves repairs both to the roof and to monuments inside the building.

Because of the work, church officials have shifted the Wednesday service to Whitley and also moved the regular church cafe to the same venue.

Scaffolding is being installed in the church to block-off the Savile Chapel and the Chancel.

The work being done inside the church is to conserve and make safe the monument to Sir George Savile and Lady Anne Savile, which dates from 1614.

The bulk of the work is expected to take three months.

The historic Sir George Savile monument, which straddles the Savile Chapel, will have a steel supporting cage installed inside it.

Work has also started on essential roof repairs and on the changes to the central heating.

Dangerous trees will be felled in the churchyard.

The church is dedicated to St Michael and All Angels and there has been a church on the site since Anglo-Saxon times.

The church is first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, but the fragments of Anglo-Saxon memorials – crosses and a grave slab – indicate that there has been a church there since at least the 9th century.

Since the late 14th century, its history has been closely linked with that of the important Savile family.

It is a Grade 1 Listed Building in the heart of the Thornhill Conservation Area and is listed in Simon Jenkins’ book, England’s Thousand Best Churches, as a warm and friendly building.