A CHURCH in need of renovation is being given a spring clean by 17 students.

St Paul’s Church in Abbotsbury Road has seen a small army of volunteers descend on the building to do painting, decorating, gardening, and teaking of the doors.

The 17 young people, aged 16 to 25 years old, from the UK and from as far away as Spain, Germany and Japan are all part of the Cathedral Camps group.

There are several camps going on around the UK and the non-religious organisation works to help restore faith buildings which are often overlooked in other renovation work.

Father Richard Harper said that the camp had been ‘absolutely superb’ and praised the work of the young people.

He said: “These young people have given up a week of their life and they have been turning their hand decorating the shop and outreach centre.

“They have been doing the gardening jobs and scrubbing the war memorial, which is so important to people round here who have relatives named to it.

“The church was in need of some tender loving care.”

He added: “The young people have got an insight into the working and life in the parish. They have seen me off to conduct a funeral and many came to church on Sunday and met the congregation.”