THE first Heritage Open Day to be staged at St Edburg’s Church was hailed as a success after more than 200 people took part.

Parishioners enjoyed a host of Bicester history-related displays, re-enactments, guides and talks and children’s activities.

It was staged by the church in Old Place Yard as part of a celebration of the current works being undertaken to repair the church tower and weather-damaged pinnacles.

St Edburg’s Church committee chairman Colin Duckworth said: “The day went very well, with more than 200 visitors during the day.

“We had the reenactments throughout the event which went down very well with lots of interest about key events in history.

“We haven’t done the event to this extent before but it is the third time we have held reenactments.

“We also had a big exhibition which lots of research went into and all the heritage connections with the town.

“It was a very successful day.”

The event on Saturday was staged as part of the national Heritage Open Day celebrations and came as the church was awarded cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund for restoration of its Grade I Listed building.

It was held at St Edburg’s Church to help explain and show off the heritage of the site and the current renovations being undertaken.