AYLBURTON Methodist Church has had to postpone its centenary celebrations for six-months after a drunk driver ‘took out’ the porch in a high-speed collision.

The 100-year-old church was due to be rededicated in December last year after a £150,000 refurbishment programme.

But the party had to be cancelled after a Drybrook man ploughed into the front of the building in October, causing £30,000 of damage.

The driver, Christopher Wright of Drybrook, was last week found guilty of five driving offences including driving over the legal drink-drive limit, failing to stop after an accident, driving whilst disqualified, having no insurance and driving without care and attention.

Gloucester Magistrates handed Wright a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

They also endorsed his driving licence with penalty points and extended his driving ban as well as ordering him to carry out work in the community.

Liz Day, Aylburton Methodist Church Treasurer, said: “The incident certainly put as back about six months as the damaged porch was built with Bath stone which had to be specially quarried.

“Fortunately the work was covered by our insurance and the church is now looking beautiful for our centenary event which will now be held on the weekend of June 11 and 12.