SCORES of people grabbed a rare chance to soak in spectacular views from one of the oldest church towers in the county.

All Saints, in Great Holland, opened its historic tower to the public for the first time in years on Saturday.

The church is currently celebrating the 150th anniversary of being rebuilt.

The tower is all that is left of the original building and dates back to the early 15th Century.

The Rev Mark Holdaway said: "It was built over a period of seven years from 1413 to 1420 and is one of the oldest brick-built towers in Essex.

"You go up a spiral brick staircase. Half way up there is the chamber with the bells in it and if you keep going there is a small door that goes out on to the roof.

"You can see across to Clacton, the Naze Tower and the windfarms - not just the nearest but the one further out."

The church tower dominates the skyline and can be seen from out at sea. For centuries mariners used the landmark to help them navigate up and down the coast.

"It's not open very often," said Mr Holdaway.

"Our other church tower at St Michael's is open every year for Kirby fete but the Great Holland tower hasn't been open to the public in the five years that I've been here.

"A lot of people have waited quite a long time to go up it."

A £75,000 restoration project to replace the tower roof and repair crumbling brickwork was carried out in 2010.

Saturday's open day was part of a church flower festival to mark the 150th anniversary.

Mr Holdaway said: "It went very well. A good few hundred people came.

"The theme of the flower festival was the village past and present. Each display related to a different area of village life – it looked great."