VILLAGERS are hoping their historic church will stand for another 1,000 years after installing a new lightning conductor to make it zap-proof.

St James, in Little Clacton, has been standing for almost a millennium and is a stunning example of early Norman architecture.

Now it has got a new £2,300 lightning conductor to save it from ... acts of God.

The equipment was put up on top of the tower using a cherry picker which gave fantastic aerial views of the village.

The ancient building has escaped lightning strikes over the century, but church leaders aren’t taking any chances.

They are currently redecorating the inside after a major fundraising drive.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Men at work: A cherry-picker was used to complete the project 

The Rev David Newman said: “A major restoration of the interior is just being completed so we wouldn’t like it to be struck by lightning.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • The view from St James' Church tower