BRIDGWATER'S iconic St Mary's Church is expected to re-open in May following a million pound project to update the historic building.

Church warden Adrian Patten has been closely involved in the project is excited to see the progress that has been made, with the plan being for the church to re-open on May 6 for a choral society concert.

"We closed the church on June 6 last year for this work to get underway, but there have been complications after a number of vaults beneath the church floor were discovered and the project has cost us more than £130,000 more than expected," Mr Patten said.

"It is an amazing building right in the heart of the town, it the size of some small cathedrals."

The work has included installing underfloor heating, new hooped lighting, cleaning the ceiling, lowering parts of the floor so that it is more accessible for disabled people, re-tiling the floor and the font has been moved.

The pews have been taken out and the new floor plan will make the church a much more flexible space, Mr Patten said.

"It is work that has been planned for years," he added. "The overall cost of the project including VAT is more than £1 million.

"The vaults that we found required us to make adaptations to the plans, we had to bring in archaeologists and it all takes time and extra money.

"The vaults included scattered bones that date back to the Victorian era. We had no idea, there are no blueprints for the church that date back that far."

Mr Patten said a loan had been granted from the Diocese but he was hoping to be successful with a number of grant applications and a crowdfunding campaign where people can sponsor a tile.

People can have up to eight names written onto the back of the Blue Lias tiles quarried from Somerton in indelible ink for £25.

"We are really hoping the community will use it. We want community groups to use the space here, to put on concerts, host food and drink fairs and a whole variety of events, and really make the church a community hub in the centre of town," Mr Patten.

There are plans for an official opening event and open day in the works but a date has not yet been set.

In the meantime the church has been congregating at the Baptist Church across the road and also at St Mary's School.

"I would like to thank the Baptist Church for their support during these works, and I hope we can continue to work closely with them moving forward," Mr Patten said.

"I think it has also been valuable for our parishioners to spend time at our partner school and see the fantastic work they are doing."

"I am excited to open the church again for all the town to share and enjoy, it is going to look spectacular when done."