THE beautiful architecture of the historic parish church in Cirencester can be seen as never before as part of a new tour programme.

The parish church of St John the Baptist, in Cirencester's Market Place, is currently undergoing a multi-million pound restoration and is shrouded in plastic. Work is underway and is expected to last until November 2011.

But the renovation means that for the first time in the church's history, visitors can get close to the architectural detail of the building thanks to a 17-metre viewing platform.

It gives people the opportunity to see the intricate stonework on the higher reaches. The six public viewing platforms are incorporated into the scaffold framework.

The roof of the South Porch has been surveyed and the fragile and dangerous masonry is being repaired. Stonework, which is showing years of deterioration and several gargoyles will also be restored as part of the project.

A team of 30 volunteers will guide the tours, explaining the conservation work and giving visitors the chance to see the craftsmen working to repair the 16th century building.

Activities co-ordinator Ailsa O’Connor said the church had had a cultural significance in Cirencester for hundreds of years and that the chance to see the intricate work up close was a rarity.

"The church is soaked in history and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get really close to the work," she said.

"The renovation will preserve the building for many years to come so the public should grab the chance to come and have a look while they can."

The platform is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 3pm and open the second Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm.

Admission to the tour is free of charge.