By Conor Sharkey

ANYONE out and about in Strabane this week can't help have noticed the extensive building work that has begun around Christ Church at the Bowling Green.

The restoration work has been in the pipeline for almost three years and will take 24 weeks to complete.

Total cost of the project is £210,000, with £67,000 coming from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and a further £59,500 granted by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The remaining amount was raised through a series of fundraising events held by the church's congregation.

The essential maintenance work was fast tracked after workmen installing a new lightning conductor earlier this year spotted a number of flaws in the Christ Church steeple.

Service was then moved to the nearby church hall and contracting firm Gambles were drafted in to begin the securing and repointing work.

The secretary of the church's Vestry Harry Friar said he is delighted that work has now begun.

"Basically what is happening is that they are repairing the steeple, anchoring the weather cock and working their way down from there.

"About six or eight months ago, we got a new lightning conductor and while it was being installed the workmen spotted a few gaps and holes.

"So we decided that the work should begin immediately.

"Over the past couple of years we have held a number of fundraising concerts and gatherings, so a lot of the money for the refurbishment work was already there.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Environment Agency came on board and grant aided the rest, so we are very thankful to them for that.

"We are all very glad that the work is going ahead and myself and the rest of the congregation are looking forward to getting back in early in the new year," Mr Friar added.