ST PETER’S Church had its busiest month since a relaunch in 2009 as the first phase of its restoration came to an end.

Construction workers and stonemasons have reached a key milestone in the ongoing £1.7 million renovation of the Grade II listed building.

St Peter’s welcomed more than 3,400 people to services during December, including a well attended children’s carol service with live farm animals.

The Rev Archie Coates, vicar of St Peter’s Brighton, said: “Many local residents and people walking past the church will have noticed the scaffolding starting to come down on St Peter’s, revealing the beautiful craftsmanship that’s culminated from many hours of hard work.

“The restoration of this Brighton landmark is certainly something to be celebrated, but it’s also what’s on the inside that counts.

“I’ve been delighted to see hundreds of dedicated volunteers welcome so many new faces over recent weeks, from members of the street community at our weekly Safehaven events to parents and carers at Thursday’s Tots and Toddlers group,. There really is something for everyone.”

The balustrade and pinnacles have been rebuilt from a mixture of new and reconditioned stone and the tower roof has been replaced.

The project has been funded with £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), alongside grants from English Heritage, the National Churches Trust, the Garfield Weston Fundation, the Allchurches Trust and the Sussex Historic Churches Trust.

The church faced closure in 2005 over maintenance costs but remained open and relaunched in 2009.

Oliver de Trafford, owner of Moksha Café opposite the church, said: “St Peter’s has had a profoundly positive effect over the last seven years, embracing and supporting the local community, boosting business and investment and generally raising the profile of the area.

“I look forward to watching the church be renovated more over the coming years and the positive effect that will have for the city.”, when this beautiful building is restored to the level it deserves to be.”

The church is on the Heritage at Risk Register and in 2009 the Heritage Restoration Project was launched to carry out much-needed repairs to the building.

St Peter’s is applying for funding to support the next phase of its renovation, including more cleaning and repairs to stonework on the tower, which it hopes to begin this July.