Plans to replace a medieval church which was gutted by fire are back on track, although no timescale can be given for when it might finally be replaced, church authorities have said.

Flames tore through St Mary's Church at Wimbotsham, near Downham Market, in September, 2019.

Eastern Daily Press: Firefighters tackle the blaze at the church in 2019Firefighters tackle the blaze at the church in 2019 (Image: Chris Bishop)

The blaze destroyed the roof and interior of the medieval building including a holy table dating from 1638 and the priceless wooden carvings which adorned the end of pews.

Soon afterwards it was agreed that the church, which was fully insured, would be rebuilt as a more modern building suitable for community use as well as services.

Eastern Daily Press: The church at Wimbotsham, which has been boarded up since the fireThe church at Wimbotsham, which has been boarded up since the fire (Image: Chris Bishop)

But plans to begin the lengthy rebuilding process were delayed by the Covid pandemic.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Ely, which oversees the building, said: "There were delays due to Covid, but things are now back on track with a design for the rebuilding in formal consultation with the planners, Historic England and others."

Eastern Daily Press: St Mary's at Wimbotsham has been boarded up since the fire St Mary's at Wimbotsham has been boarded up since the fire (Image: Chris Bishop)

They added they could not yet give a timescale for the replacement.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze. While the roof, interior and stained glass windows were destroyed, crews saved the vestry and historic church documents that were kept in a safe.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the carvings destroyed in the fireOne of the carvings destroyed in the fire (Image: Simon Knott)

Heritage experts later said items which had been lost in the fire, such as carved animals and people, and the holy table, were "irreplaceable".

The cause of the fire, which broke out during the morning of September 4, remains unknown.

Eastern Daily Press: The interior of the church before the fireThe interior of the church before the fire (Image: Simon Knott)

Rector the Rev Dr David Karoon described the loss of the building as a like "a bereavement" for the village.

Services are currently being held in the church at nearby Stow Bardolph, across the A10 from Wimbotsham, with 25 - 30 parishioners attending each Sunday.