A CHANDELIER which is more than 200 years old will be blessed by the Bishop of Chelmsford on Sunday.

The Rt Rev John Gladwin will visit St Andrew’s, in Rochford, to rededicate a brass chandelier which was installed in the tower entrance of the church in 1783.

Now beaming with electric light rather than candlelight, and hanging in the chancel of the church, the chandelier weighs a hundredweight and because of difficulty in manoeuvring it in the past, has been modified to be lowered and raised electronically.

Following a cleaning and conservation programme last year, the chandelier is now ready for a special service conducted by the bishop.

Maurice Drage, 66, treasurer of the church in Hall Road, said: “It will be a real honour to welcome the bishop. He hasn’t visited Rochford before and this will be his one of his last engagements before his retirement.

“People will be coming from as far away as Devon for the service.”

All are welcome to attend the service, which begins at 4pm.