A CHURCH treasure has been restored in partnership with The Arts Society Haslemere.

Town mayor John Robini presented the restored early 20th Century altar frontal to St Alban’s Church in Hindhead at a special ceremony on June 20.

It was repaired by the society’s Haslemere heritage volunteers under the guidance of the textile expert Gill Rudman.

St Alban’s vicar The Rev Richard Bodle and church warden Jenny Brown welcomed councillor Robini and guests, which included the society’s area chairman Caroline Coleman, heritage volunteers representative Anna Hawtree, town branch president Roscelin Rees and its chairman Alison Marston.

Mr Robini congratulated all those who had been involved with the project and Mr Bodle paid tribute to the volunteers who had saved the altar frontal from further damage.

Guests were invited to view a ‘before and after’ display with details of what the restoration project involved and more information about the re-stitching.

The restored altar frontal went on display to the public in the church for four days.

More than 75 parishioners attended a special service on June 23 to celebrate St Alban’s Day, during which the vicar formally dedicated the altar frontal restored in its full glory to the church.