SOMERSET'S biggest church, St Mary Magdalene, in Taunton, has closed its doors for the next three months as repair and redecoration work is carried out inside.

The Vicar, the Rev Nicholas Maddock, is asking for patience as the congregation takes to the road for re-scheduled services all over town.

The Somerset County Gazette has been a staunch supporter of the Magdalene Campaign, which has now reached £180,000 since it started three years ago. A further £60,000 is still needed to complete this phase of the project.

Work to revamp the stonework is finished and on Wednesday local builders put up their scaffolding inside the church to redecorate the walls and revamp its lighting.

The lighting has not been renewed for 100 years, and the church hasn't seen a lick of paint for 40 years.

"The last time the inside was re-painted, the church remained open and the services managed to continue around the paint pots and ladders," said Mr Maddock.

"But Health and Safety regulations mean the building has to be fully scaffolded, which means the public has to be kept out.

"Obviously none of us wants that but, then again, would you want a member of your family that far from the ground without a decent platform to stand on?"

Further fundraising events to raise the outstanding money are in the pipeline.