IT'S taken more than 700 years - but parishioners at a landmark church near the Lickey Hills can finally have a wee and a cup of tea!

St Michael & All Angels Church in Cofton Hackett, built back in the 14th century, finally has its own gas and water supply.

Property developer St. Modwen stayed true to a promise made to the Grade II* listed church 15 years ago and delivered the works.

And when you have waited centuries for a cuppa and a comfort break, another decade or so doesn't seem so long.

Reverend Canon Robert Fieldson, Vicar at St. Michael & All Angels Church, said: “Having access to gas and water allows for the installation of a toilet in the church for the first time in over 700 years!

"We can now provide tea and coffee making facilities and offer hospitality at services or community events held at the church.

“St. Modwen’s work will also enable us to replace the inadequate heating system and make the church more comfortable for worshippers and members of the local community.

“As a friendly and hospitable parish, we are grateful for the substantial support St. Modwen has given us."

The church, located adjacent to the Lickey Hills and built by Robert de Leycester around 1330, has undergone several refurbishments over the centuries, including extensive stonework restoration two years ago.

The new works will benefit a significant number of adult churchgoers, as well as many local children.

The provision of a toilet, kitchen facilities and improved heating will hugely benefit the church and allow it to be used for a variety of community events.

The project required St. Modwen, via McAndrew Utilities, to carry out extensive highway excavation works to install and connect the brand-new gas and water supply, with work on the church completed earlier this month.

Chris Newsome, development director at St. Modwen, said: “At St. Modwen, we do what we say, and when we acquired the Longbridge site in 2005, a promise was made to St. Michael’s that we have now delivered on.

"These extensive works will breathe new life into this much-loved local church.”

St. Michael & All Angels Church hosts an 8am service of Holy Communion on alternate Sundays as well as a weekly evening service.

The church is a popular location for weddings, burials and interments of ashes.