A fire-damaged shell of a historically important church has been restored in a divine turnaround in Kent, UK.

Sheerness Dockyard Church held an official open day to the public today (July 22) to showcase the impressive £9.5 million transformation from burnt out shell to a community cafe & large co-working space for young people starting in business.

Also on display is a small part of the huge scale model of Sheerness Royal Dockyard designed by Sir John Rennie.

Will Palin (son of TV's Michael) chaired the trust overseeing the meticulous restoration, which received a large grant from the Heritage Lottery in addition to many other funders.

The Dockyard Church was built in 1828, but after fire-damage in 2001 was listed in the top ten of most at risk historic buildings in the South East.

Footage includes a brief clip of local resident 78-year Tim Bell, who served as a choirboy in the original church back in the 1960s.