THE sound of organ music will soon return to St George's Church in Nailsworth following the installation of a historic 19th century pipe organ.

Installation is well under way after members of the Nailsworth Parochial Church Council acquired the organ from a redundant church in Cheshire in 2011.

The organ, dating from 1836, was built for St John's Bollington and is now one of only six surviving instruments built by renowned organ builder Samuel Renn.

It has been carefully restored by specialists at TW Fearn in Devon and arrived at St George's Church earlier this month.

Myles Robinson, PCC member and mayor of Nailsworth, said: “Our project has been based on providing a community asset that will be used for church services, the Nailsworth Festival, local choirs and schools as well as by music students”

The project has cost around £100,000 and has been met by a generous legacy, local fundraising and donations from Heritage Lottery Fund and Gloucestershire Environmental Trust.

It will be completed by February and an opening concert is planned.