A RECENTLY extended church green has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

St James Church in the Parish of Finchampstead and California is in the running to win a Church Times Green Church Award in the biodiversity category.

The awards celebrate the efforts of individuals and congregations to offset the damage being done to the Earth.

The Churchyard Extension project was started when it became apparent the 12th Century St James’ Church was running out of space for burials in the churchyard.

The piece of land chosen was teeming with wildlife include rare species of tree and newt, so church leaders attempted leave as much as possible in its natural state.

Trees removed as part of the work were recycled to make the benches and gates, and boxes were included for the church’s resident bat population.

Churchwarden Ed Sampson, who led the project, said: “It’s enormously rewarding to do it all. We did everything with a soft touch, and it’s worked out really well.

"It’s really quite exciting. It’s a privilege.”

The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony held at Lambeth Palace in London on October 16.