A CHURCH which was closed for two years after suffering flood damage has reopened its doors.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Charminster, held a morning service yesterday morning, marking a new beginning and the celebration of Easter.

The church had been closed since January 2014 after severe weather battered the building and the surrounding area.

The storms caused the nearby River Cerne to burst its banks, leaving the church with at least five inches of standing water.

The congregation was forced to meet in Charminster Village Hall whilst repairs took place, including the installation of underfloor heating.

The Revd Janet Smith said she was ‘overjoyed’ to be back at the church.

She said: “It’s a real resurrection - new life back at the church building.

“We’ve been hugely grateful to the village hall trustees for their hospitality.

“There was a wonderful dynamic in that building, what we call in the church a real sense of fellowship. We will always be grateful for that.”

The church bells rang loud and proud as parishioners made their way to the church.

The Revd Smith said: “We are thrilled to be back in this beautiful, hallowed building which is warm and comfortable.

“Our hope is we will always remember that church first and foremost is people.”

Jane House, one of the churchwardens, said it was ‘absolutely fabulous’ to be back.

She said: “It’s lovely it’s Easter.

"It’s a time of celebration for the church. It’s a very good time to be opening.

“Underneath these slabs is the heating system and if you bend down you can feel the heat coming through.

“The only thing that’s left to do is the pillars - they are going to be renovated.

“We are still fundraising. We have used our resources for this and we need to get them back again.

“Who knows? Churches have got roofs which are always the worry for anybody.”

“We are very lucky because it is such a lovely church.”