One of the district's most famous landmarks is today shrouded in scaffolding as work on a £500,000 restoration project begins in earnest.

But despite spoiling the view of Saltaire United Reformed Church, trustees think the "cage" round the 19th century building is a sight for sore eyes.

They have been battling for five years to restore the world famous church to its former glory and in June the Telegraph & Argus revealed they had finally got the all clear to start work.

It is hoped to complete the work early next year.

Hilton Broomhead, chairman of the church's trustees, said: "It's taken almost a month to scaffold the building and now it is almost completely covered.

"Most of the work can't be done without it but now the scaffolding is almost finished the contractors can get on with the main repairs.

"It is a Grade I listed building which needs to be preserved for future generations and this work should last for many years."

Built by Saltaire founder Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers, the church - originally called the Congregational Church and architecturally the only one of its type in the country - is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.

A £750,000 appeal, backed by the T&A, was launched in 1993 to save the 600-seat church from dereliction after a survey found it was in urgent need of repair.

Despite £500,000 worth of work being carried out, the appeal fund will remain open as the trustees still hope to carry out further renovation work including the restoration of the church entrance and interior.

The current project to restore the church, which has the same architectural status as Westminster Abbey, has been made possible thanks to the long-running appeal and funding from English Heritage, the National Lottery and European Commission.

The restoration project will secure the church's west wall. The wall had been slipping away from the rest of the building which was opened in 1859 at a cost of £16,000.

The much photographed tower will be restored to its Victorian splendour, the building's roof re-slated and leadwork and guttering replaced.

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