A Hitchin church which was attacked during the summer by a man who was later sectioned under the Mental Health Act has now completed painstaking repairs to its historic stained glass windows.

The Comet: Experts painstakingly repair the stained glass windows at St Mary's ChurchExperts painstakingly repair the stained glass windows at St Mary's Church (Image: Archant)

The windows at St Mary’s Church in Churchyard which were broken in the August attack have now been replaced.

A delighted Father Michael Roden told the Comet: “We are utterly delighted with the windows being repaired and the lovely community support we have had.

“It was really great the Fabric Community managed to get the windows in before Christmas.

“We welcome as many visitors as possible to come to St Mary’s and take a look around at the restored windows.”

The Comet: A specialist helps reinstate the stained glass windows at St Mary's ChurchA specialist helps reinstate the stained glass windows at St Mary's Church (Image: Archant)

More good news from St Mary’s is that their ‘Heart of Hitchin’ bags have sold well and are now in their third reprinted edition.

Church fundraising committee member Anne Senechal, who organised the bags to help raise money for church funds, said: “With support from retailers the first batch sold out within two weeks in early November, and most of the next 250 special edition gift bags are also gone.”

The classic jute bags are on sale at a number of shops and businesses throughout the town now.

The Comet: The stained glass windows at St Mary's ChurchThe stained glass windows at St Mary's Church (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Anne Senechal with the Heart of Hitchin bagsAnne Senechal with the Heart of Hitchin bags (Image: Archant)