Worshippers from a Monmouthshire church, which is closed for repairs, found room at an inn after a landlady agreed to let them hold a Christmas carol service at her pub.

St Cadoc's church, in Llangattock Lingoed near Abergavenny, has been closed since September while its roof is restored.

The pub has very close links with the church Helene Barrett, landlady

People have had to travel to other churches but the congregation were determined to hold at least one Christmas service in the village.

When Helene Barrett who runs the Hunters Moon Inn heard their plight, she offered her pub as a venue.

"The pub has very close links with the church," said Ms Barrett.

"It is right next door for one thing and is said to have been built at the same time as the church to house workers constructing St Cadoc's.

"We are only a small and scattered community but everyone knows each other and it will be nice to hold at least one service in the village over Christmas.

The pub was built at the same time as the church

"The pub is very small and cosy but I think we should be able to fit in about 40 people.

"It should be really good," she added.

The repairs to the roof began after villagers noticed it had shifted and scaffolding had to be erected to stop it from collapsing.

Nothing could be done to the roof until a colony of rare bats - which live in the church during the summer - had left to hibernate.

Builders are now rushing the work so the bats home will be ready for their return in the spring.

The landlady is going to read a poem called The Innkeeper's Wife which is quite topical Parish deacon Jean Prosser

Parish deacon Jean Prosser said: "The pub seemed like the obvious place to go.

"It is right next door to the church and the only place big enough in the village to hold a service.

"This is the first time we have ever held a service in a pub and I think this is completely unprecedented in St Cadoc's history.

"Our organist is bringing a keyboard to accompany the carols and we are having a series of readings as well.

"The landlady is going to read a poem called The Innkeeper's Wife which is quite topical," she added.