The second phase of a redevelopment project at an historic Kingston church is under way.

The nave of All Saints Church, in Market Place, has now been closed while work to refurbish the main part of the building is carried out.

The church organ has been dismantled and taken away to be cleaned and serviced, while the 1970s concrete floor is being ripped up and replaced with handmade terracotta tiles.

The project has been able to move forward thanks to a grant of £967,001 from Viridor Credits Environmental Company.

All Saints’ vicar, Rev Jonathan Wilkes, said: “We hope to be able to complete this phase of the work in late November or early December, so that we will be able to celebrate Christmas in the restored nave while the East End is closed off to complete the job.

“However, the organ will only be returned to the nave once all the work on the church is finished – there is little point in cleaning an organ and replacing it while building works are still under way.”