A collapsed church wall should be fully repaired by autumn 2022.

The wall at St Oswald's in Church Street, Malpas, collapsed following heavy storms in January, this year.

Cheshire West and Chester Council commissioned a structural engineer who advised that two stages of work were necessary to repair it, and the authority has now able to confirm plans for the permanent repairs.

Stage one, to carry out temporary works to make the wall safe and reopen the road, has recently been completed. These temporary works were purely functional and were not intended to be aesthetically pleasing.

The main contractor for permanent repairs in stage two has now been appointed. Engineers are currently drawing up the designs for the repair and are drafting work plans.

The wall is a listed structure and the permanent repairs will be in keeping with its Listed designation. This will include undertaking certain consultations and obtaining the necessary approvals for the works.

It is anticipated that the works will begin in April 2022 and should be complete by autumn 2022.

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “The council is very grateful for the support and patience of Malpas residents and visitors regarding the collapsed wall at St Oswald’s."

“The wall is a scheduled monument, it will now take time to draw up plans for the permanent repairs and obtain the necessary approvals to work on a listed structure, but it is important we get it right."

“Also, repairs to historic masonry require the use of specialist materials, like lime mortar, which can only be applied in warmer months to allow it to harden sufficiently.”

In August, it was confirmed that human bones were discovered following the collapse of the wall on January 20.

They are being cared for ahead of their reburial.