A HISTORIC Cotswold church visited by Edward the Confessor and Chaucer will be restored to its former glory by a lottery cash windfall.

The church of St Mary the Virgin in Kempsford has been awarded a Heritage Lottery grant of £24,600 to restore the 15th century tower ceiling and Victorian paintings behind the altar.

The cash will also cover the cost of an interactive website for the church.

Kempsford came to the forefront of history when in the late 13th century a Plantagenet connection was established.

This royal connection continued when Henry I re-built the chancel and put in the West Window.

Edward the Confessor is known to have made at least four visits to Kempsford and later Chaucer was also a visitor.

The church has had a colourful history for example Lord Coleraine, who once owned Kempsford House, asked to be buried above ground but the site was demolished to make way for an organ.

This led famous poet John Betjeman wrote: "This is the only English church where an Irish peer is buried in the organ."

St Mary's remains a focal point in the village and although the lottery cash makes up 77 percent of the project's balance, the rest has been volunteered by the community.

Vicki Weissman, project leader, said: "We're not just safeguarding St Mary's glory, we're also celebrating this village and its extraordinary history.

"Sometimes people forget just how much a small place has to offer- this grant gives us the chance to remind them."

The project will involve local schools, heraldry groups and visitors from across the county in an information programme.

Head of region for the Heritage Lottery Fund South West, Julie Cooper, said: "As well as conserving an important heritage asset in Kempsford, the project will give the public much wider access to the church of St Mary the Virgin."

The restoration work will be completed by Easter and woek on the website has begun.

A celebratory opening is planned for St George's Day on April 23.