ONE of the biggest renovations of a historic Winchester church in decades has suffered a major hitch.

St John's Church is to be closed for up to a year to allow for the six-figure revamp of the medieval building.

Workmen have moved in to repair the roof and carry out major alterations inside.

By the end most of the pews will have been removed and part of the church redeveloped with community facilities such as toilets.

Much of the cost of the work was to be paid for by the sale of the church hall across the road.

But the sale has collapsed and the building is back on the market.

Churchwarden David Stirrup said: "The restoration project is on course. The sale of the church hall is a major part of the fundraising. Until it is sold we are struggling a bit."

The church is swathed in scaffolding and has forced the temporary closure of St John's Street to through traffic.

While the church is cllosed, services are being held at nearby Holy Trinity in Upper Brook Street.