REFURBISHMENT work has begun on St Michael at the Northgate Church in the centre of Oxford.

The Cornmarket Street church shut yesterday and will stay closed until Friday while scaffolding is put up.

A state-of-the-art sound system has already been installed and work is due to start on a replacement for the 1980s lighting system.

The £120,000 scheme includes purpose-made chandeliers and spot-lights.

Once the installations are complete the entire interior of the church will be redecorated.

The Very Rev Bob Wilkes, the City Rector, said: “The scaffolders are here now so the church has closed until Friday.

“The tower will remain open at all times so visitors can come and look around that as usual.”

He added: “This is going to be a nice project, improving the church for generations to come.”

The refurbishment has been funded by parishioner donations and the church’s trust fund.

The work is planned to be completed by September 29 and apart from this week, the church will remain open to the public, with some restricted access.