PARISHIONERS were finally welcomed back into a Radcliffe church on Sunday, months after it was devastated by flooding.

The Radcliffe Parish Church of St Mary was left under several feet of water during the Boxing Day floods but - thanks to the hard work of cleaning teams and local residents - was able to hold its first service of 2016 this week.

Dozens of volunteers helped with the final clean-up efforts to get the historic building ready for the service, which was attended by the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker.

After the joyous return to the church, The Revd Carol Hayden said: "I have never been hugged so much in my entire life. It was a really fabulous day.

"In the week running up to it we had more than 60 people from all over Radcliffe come in to help get the church ready, which was fantastic to see.

"It was great to know that so many people wanted to help, and then we were absolutely full on Sunday morning as well.

"The Bishop of Manchester came and was great. He is such as laid back and humble person."

Among those returning to the church was verger Vera Beal, who was rescued from the church on Boxing Day as she tried to take refuge from the floods that had ruined her home in Morris Street.

Mrs Hayden added: "Her house was flooded and she took refuge in the church, where she had to be rescued. She nearly lost her life and has just gone back into her home last week. It was a real miracle that she could be there on Sunday doing her duty and I was so happy to see her back."

With months worth of restoration work still to be completed at the church, midweek services will still be held at St Thomas and St John's Church in the town centre.

She added: "All of the heaters are now back in and I think it will be about six months before we can be fully open again.

"For now, we will just be opening for Sunday worship and the weddings that we have booked. That means that during the week we can keep the heaters on and get the work done on the floors and the kitchen."