A LOCAL historian has put the finishing touches to a four-year labour of love.

Former engineer Roger Kingdon, of Borrowby, near Thirsk, turned his hand to historical research along with a team of volunteers at Stonegrave Church, near Helmsley.

The local branch of the National Association of Decorations and Fine Arts Society, which regularly has lectures at Thirsk Racecourse, has now researched, listed, and photographed every aspect of the church building and its contents.

"Without this work, much of the history of many of our churches would be lost for ever," he said.

The important information is gathered from various sources, such as local authorities, archives, old letters and deeds and each item is recorded in detail.

Copies of the completed dossier will be presented to the diocesan officer, The Council for the Care of Churches, the Victoria and Albert Museum Library and the participating church.

Mr Kingdon took on the task of recording memorials, graveyards, metalwork, woodwork, textiles stonework, paintings, windows with a team of volunteers, after he retired.

"As an engineer I had no experience of such detailed research work, but I saw it as a challenge and found it fascinating. Each item, even a window, tells its own story.

"We have uncovered several interesting snippets of a colourful past from some of the items in the church."

The dossier will be dedicated and presented to the church at a service on March 17.