THE drive to renovate the organ at St John the Baptist Church, Eastnor, has been given a boost with a £23,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The windfall means the work should begin next month and be completed by Christmas, in time for an inaugural New Year concert and supper.

Afterwards, the instrument will be used for a series of recitals on a quarterly basis. Ledbury Poetry Festival has also been invited to use the church from 2005 "as a venue for suitable recitals with music".

The cost of the work will be £38,000 and the Parochial Church Council now has over £35,000 in its fighting fund.

Major Humphrey Britton-Johnson, PCC treasurer and secretary, said: "Funds have been raised by local effort and by other grants, including from the Council for the Care of Churches, Manifold Trust and Herefordshire Council.

"Although still in good condition, the organ now requires a major overhaul if it is to be conserved in proper playing condition for the rest of this century.

"Nicholson's, the original builders, have been contracted to undertake the work, including the complete dismantling of the instrument, thorough cleaning and repairs."

The reed stops will be revoiced, the soundboards will be overhauled and the bellows will be releathered.

The organ was originally built by Nicholson and Company (Worcester) Ltd in 1887. It was presented to the church by the 3rd Earl Somers of Eastnor Castle. It was partly rebuilt after the First World War.

Major Britton-Johnson said: "It's a fine, well-made instrument, with an unforced sound that is thought to be particularly suited to a rural parish church."