WORK will begin next year to restore an ancient County Durham church gutted by fire.

St Brandon's Church, at Brancepeth, near Durham City, was reduced to an empty shell by the blaze in September 1998.

Despite forensic examinations, no cause has been found for the devastating fire.

Fundraisers behind the £3m-plus restoration appeal have been awarded £400,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, allowing the first phase of work to begin.

The Grade I listed building - regarded as important because of its priceless 17th Century carved woodwork - will be restored from top to bottom.

Workers will secure the roof before working downwards to the floor and renewing the supporting pillars and arches.

Phase two will involve repairs to the stonework and glazing of the windows in the nave and aisles. The ground floor will also be reconstructed and heating and lighting installed.

Included in phase three will be repairs to the stonework in the chancel, restoration of surviving monuments and wall paintings, the return of the church bells and installation of the organ.

Insurance payments contributed £2m to the restoration fund and villagers have also raised more than £100,000.

Organisers of the Brancepeth Church Appeal are confident a further £650,000 will be raised towards the final cost of the work, which should be completed within three years.

Appeal director Adrian Rogers said: "This is a beautiful church which has region-wide appeal.

"We are launching Friends of St Brandon's in the New Year when we will go out on the back of the village campaign and ask who can help us.

"I have been working here for the past 18 months and sometimes you think you are never going to get there.

"But now we have our plans drawn up and sufficient finance to start rebuilding in the New Year, so it's very encouraging.