HIDDEN artwork at a church is set to be revealed for the first time thanks to a £60,300 grant.
St Martin's Church, in St Martin's Road, has been awarded the money by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The grant will fund a project to uncover two painting by war artist Evelyn Gibbs, which are half painted over and half hidden by a 1970s church extension.
They were rediscovered in 2010 when electricians working at the church confirmed that they could still be seen above the suspended pine ceiling.
Now the grant will allow the paintings to be restored to full view. The suspended ceiling will also be removed, the concrete floor, which causes damp, will be taken up and a new east window will be installed. The Rev Amanda Cartwright, priest in charge at St Martin's, said: "We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support.
"It will help us to provide the best facilities for the people of Bilborough and Strelley, to build up our community and to explore our creative gifts, our heritage and our faith together."
One of Gibbs' paintings at St Martin's, which dates from the 14th Century, is the Annunciation, which was painted in 1946. It features Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Angel Gabriel. It is believed to be the last surviving example of the murals she painted to boost morale during the Second World War.
It is not known what the second painting depicts.
Removing the suspended pine ceiling will also reveal a stained glass window and Victorian barrel-vaulted ceiling.
A range of educational activities will also take place alongside the building work.
Planned events include heritage taster days, hard-hat tours and opportunities to see the painting conservators at work. Two apprenticeship positions for young people to work alongside the craftsmen will be advertised. Church warden Hilary Wheat said the grant was good for the community, not just the church.
''This will be a real boost for the church," said Ms Wheat.
''This building has stood there for a such a long time. It's one of the oldest buildings in the area and people have been touched by it for generations, so it's about allowing people to get in touch with that heritage.
"It's not just a church thing, it will be good for the whole community."
