Much-welcomed repair work has helped a thatched church near Loddon ward of damp that was damaging one of its prized artefacts.

Eastern Daily Press: Ten Commandments panel in St Mary's Church in Sisland. Picture: Submitted by Terry ReadTen Commandments panel in St Mary's Church in Sisland. Picture: Submitted by Terry Read (Image: Submitted by Terry Read)

A rare 18th Century panet of the Ten Comandments inside St Mary's in Sisland had started to become victim of water damage, after damp seeped through the walls of the church.

Eastern Daily Press: Repair work carried out to St Mary's Church in Sisland. Picture: Submitted by Terry ReadRepair work carried out to St Mary's Church in Sisland. Picture: Submitted by Terry Read (Image: Submitted by Terry Read)

However, partly thanks to a number of charity grants, the church has now been able to carry out repair work on its East gable, this time using lime mortar instead of portland cement.

Grants from Trinity College Cambridge, the Geoffrey Watling Charity, Paul Bassham Charitable Trust and Norfolk Churches Trust, helped make the works possible, along with the church's own building maintenance fund.

Donations were also made by residents of the tiny parish as well as church visitors.

The church will be holding afternoon teas between 3pm and 5pm on Sundays in August to fund further works.