Bellway is providing financial support for renovation work within the oldest building in Swanscombe to help preserve the heritage of the village.

The homebuilder, which is building new homes at Ebbsfleet Cross at Garden City less than a mile away, has contributed £250 to St Peter and St Paul Church to help in repairing its Norman chalk font where generations of families from Swanscombe have been baptised.

The money was donated at the church’s annual Christmas memorial Star Service which took place on Sunday 4 December.

This event marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations at the church, and it is held in memory of loved ones who have been lost.

The Rev Charlie Lloyd-Evans from St Peter and St Paul Church said: “We were delighted to receive Bellway’s support for the church because it is in desperate need of renovation.

“Our church is the oldest building in Swanscombe and it has served the people of our village for centuries. We have one of the last remaining chalk Norman fonts in all of England, but it is in dire need of repair work right now.

“Donations like this have become increasingly rare and doubly essential to the church due to the rise in the cost of living, which has left people with less money to contribute to such worthy causes in their local communities.

“That is why we are very grateful for Bellway’s contribution. Their readiness to help the church in preserving the heritage of Swanscombe says a lot about their values and their commitment to our village.”

Emma Hamlett, Sales Director for Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “The church is at the heart of the community of Swanscombe and so we were keen to support the funding of its renovation work. We were honoured to attend the church’s Star Service to make the donation.

“We take great pride in the knowledge that our contribution will help in preserving local heritage, as we are committed to supporting communities where we are delivering new homes.

“It is fitting that we are helping the conservation of the oldest building in the village while we also help to meet the need for more housing here.”

Bellway Thames Gateway is currently building 233 new homes at Ebbsfleet Cross at Garden City, off Tiltman Avenue.