A Norwich church has benefited from a �40,000 legacy from a woman who was committed to serving the parish for many years.

Thanks to the generous gift left by Eileen Back, Christ Church, in Eaton, will now be able to replace the cross at the top of the church which was damaged during last year's freezing weather, and some of the money will be used to help fund repairs to ageing flint work and buckling windows in the west of the church that it is estimated will cost more than �30,000.

New matching cushions for all of the church pews have already been bought with some of the money, and the legacy will also pay for new chairs, carpets and curtains.

The vicar of Christ Church, the Rev Dr Patrick Richmond, said: 'We are so grateful to Eileen Back and the whole family for the legacy.

'The cushions look and feel a huge improvement and many people at our Easter services commented on them.

'Eileen Back served the church for many years, helping to keep it in pristine order.

'We hope that such acts of generosity will allow us to continue to maintain and improve Christ Church.'

Dr Richmond said Mrs Back had been a regular at evensong for many years and had been on the church cleaning team looking after the church's silver and brass.

He said Mrs Back had died in 2009, and that her family had helped the church decide how to spend her legacy.

The repairs needed in the west of the church are among �135,000 to �160,000 pounds worth of work identified as necessary by an architect's inspection of the Church Avenue building in 2008.

Last year, the church completed some of the items mentioned in the inspection – �70,000 worth of repairs and improvements in the south part of the church and the children's areas in the north of the building.

This included work on the roofing and drainage system in the south of the building and new stained glass windows being installed in the vestry.

Work to the children's areas included putting in new windows, opening up a stained glass window and installing a new roof, floor, carpets and insulation, and putting in a new sink and toilet.

For more information about Christ Church visit www.eatonparish.com

Anybody who would like to help with funding improvements and repairs to the church should contact the Parishes Office, 41 Church Lane, Norwich, NR4 6NW, call 01603 473646 or email office@eatonparish.com

Are you fundraising for a community project?

Contact reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or call emma.knights@archant.co.uk