The future looked bleak for parishioners at All Saints Church in Pidley when they were told that they should close their doors for good because of the building’s poor state of repair.

But, after a herculean fund-raising effort, involving scores of people over 30 years, the final round of restoration work to the fabric of the 19th century church has finally been completed.

More than £150,000 has been raised since 1986 to fund a vital new roof, repair ageing stonework, and refurbish the porch.

The work to raise the funds was started after the Diocese of Ely told parishioners that the Grade II-listed church should close because of its crumbling state, back in 1986.

The church’s annual flower festival has helped raised the vast majority of the funds, with Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust also contributing thousands of pounds and advisory support.

Kevin Doyle, who has been church warden for 35 years, said: “This was the final stage of work to the fabric of the building, the walls and the roof. It has been going for a long time.

“Originally we were asked to close the church because it was in such poor condition. Since 1986 we have raised £150,000, which is no small achievement for a village of our size.”

All Saints Church was built in 1865, but historians believe that there has been a church on the site in Pidley since the 13th century.