Downton Abbey church undergoes urgent repairs

The church is a popular stop for Downton Abbey themed tours

A church featured in Downton Abbey is undergoing urgent repairs to its leaking roof.

The work to St Mary's Church in Bampton, Oxfordshire, is expected to cost more than £120,000.

Two flat lead roofs on the south side of the building had deteriorated, allowing water to leak near its main entrance and organ.

Built in the 11th Century, the church was the setting of Lady Mary's wedding to Matthew Crawley in the hit period drama.

The church was developed in the 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries, with the whole building restored in 1870

Churchwarden Darrell Jacobs said: "The ingress of water has caused damage and, as would be expected, renders the areas beneath the leaks unusable."

Funded by benefactors and local fundraisers, the repairs would allow all areas of the building to be used as intended, he added.

The building will be recognised by many as St. Michael and All Angels Church, the Anglican parish church in the village of Downton where Albert Travis preaches to villagers and the Crawley family.

Mr Jacobs said it attracted local visitors and international tourists, with about 22,000 people visiting the church each year.

It is hoped the repairs will be completed by 25 November.