THE community of Lower Bemerton in Salisbury are celebrating after signing a 99-year lease on a historic church threatened with being boarded up and left to rot.

Bemerton St John Church will now be converted into a community centre with building work starting on Monday.

The project which began seven years ago received funding from around the world in June when Rector of Bemerton, Reverend Simon Woodley launched a last ditch attempt to raise the remaining £40k needed to secure its future.

Anne Trevett, trustee and director of the charity Bemerton Community Ltd set up to organise fundraising, said: "People in Bemerton are still pinching themselves to believe that we have actually got there.

"We really are quite overwhelmed and tremendously grateful to the community and the Diocese.

"People think of the church with enormous affection. So many have an association with it having had relatives christened, married or buried there.

"Every contribution has been vital."

The fundraising total currently stands at more than £500k with £250k having come from the Diocese of Salisbury, £70k direct contributions from the Bemerton community, £60k from the campaign launched in the spring, £20k from Salisbury City Council and £10k from Salisbury Area Board.

Further funding has come from grants and trusts and the Board of Education while a £27k grant was recently given by the Cleansing Services Group, made available through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Phase one and two of the building work is expected to be complete in January with roof restoration work taking place, new heating, lighting and flooring to be installed and a new disabled-friendly entrance, kitchen and toilet block.

Fundraising will continue with two Lottery bids underway which could pay for the completion of work involving the installation of screens and meeting rooms.

The neighbouring school of Bemerton St John will use the building for assemblies, music lessons and other activities while community groups will be able to use the building in the evening and at weekends.

The building - to be called Bemerton St John Place - will also still be available as a church for weddings, christenings and funerals as well as at Christmas and Easter for services.

Built in 1859 to honour local poet George Herbert, the community hopes to incorporate a research centre on local history and its famous former resident.