INTRIGUING finds that throw new light on the history of Famham's ancient parish church have been made with the lifting of the flagstones at the west end of the church, including evidence of a Norman building destroyed by fire in the 14th century.

The work, carried out by Bentley builders F W German and Sons, is preliminary to a reordering programme which will see meeting rooms and a kitchen installed in the screened-off west end.

With the church closed off to the west of the porch, a wedding went ahead on Saturday and the Sunday morning congregations (including two christening parties) were cosily accommodated to the east and had an interesting view of the excavations over the barriers after the service.

Two 18th century vaults with stone slabs have been uncovered in the north aisle.

Some carving "Obit 16th December" has been deciphered, but no date.

Barrel-roofed brick vaults on either side are dated as early Victorian. Philip German of the buiiding firm assured The Herald they would be disturbed as little as possible.

Archaeological expert David Graham explained: "What is very interesting is we put a very small trench across the line of the south aisle, which showed that all the soil of the sub-strata was mixed with bones, with to the north, a layer of mortar and chalk, which means that this marked the boundary wall of the earlier church.

"We also found that there is a wall footing which runs along the line of the south aisle which is earlier than the (15th century) pillars and probably the base of a Norman church.

"In all likelihood, that 13th century church was extended southwards, taking in a bit of the graveyard (hence the bones). The wall there was demolished and the aisle put in.

"We found some reddening, which is evidence of a serious fire in the 14th century, and the indications are of a smaller Norman church expanded during the 13th century, burnt down during the 14th century and re-built in the 15th century.

"When the church tower was repaired, lumps of medieval masonry were found which would have come from the church when it was burnt down."

The floor will later be taken up further east; Mr Graham said it would be interesting to see if the smaller timber Saxon church (referred to in the Domesday Book), which would be at the east end of the church, could be found. Archaeological surveilance will be on-going.

An interruption to the electricity supply has caused the recently restored clock to stop temporarily.