WORKMEN suspended 70ft above the ground in a rope chair have now finished repairs to Sheet church steeple.

The work on St Mary Magdalen church was needed after a dozen or so cedar wood shingles were torn of by high winds on Easter Sunday.

It was carried out by specialist steeplejacks from A Harfield Ltd, who hoisted themselves up the spire on a rope chair, allowing them to sit comfortably while they made the repairs.

Sheet vicar Reverend Richard Saunders said: “A storm on Easter Sunday caused the first few shingles to fall, and in total I think we lost about a dozen.

“I am very glad that it has been all repaired as we are very lucky to have such beautiful building.”

Dan Fallowfield-Cooper, the steeplejack overseeing the work, said: “These shingles are cedar, so it’s not been too difficult to do, but it’s just the height that makes it a bit tricky.

“It took two days to do the work, everyone has been really interested in what we have been doing and showed support.”

Rosemary Mitchell, a member of the church congregation, said: “The shingles that came off in the wind landed on my flat roof.

“The boys working on the steeple were very good. They got on with it and made little noise.”

The repairs, which cost about £2,000, were paid for by the church’s insurance company.

The man who organised the repairs, church verger Shaun Whelan,said: “It took me months to find the right contractors and the right method for the repair, as it’s quite difficult to fix something that is 70ft in the air.

“I’m very impressed by the work and couldn’t be happier.”