AN Exmouth minister has defended improvement works on a Victorian church after it was criticised by town councillors.

AN Exmouth minister has defended improvement works on a Victorian church after it was criticised by town councillors.

District planners gave permission to replace the windows at Christ Church in North Street despite concerns from town planners.

Last week town councillor Ian Stewart said that the replacing of 'wooden windows' with 'plastic ones' has destroyed the character of the building.

But Rev John Graver Minister Christ Church Exmouth said they were in fact trying to return the church back to its original look when it was built in 1840.

He said: "The replacement windows are not plastic...they are metal.

"We are not a listed building... (but) we have tried to create the look of the Church as it was when it was constructed.

"The entrance was (originally) inside the porch and so by using the minimum of supporting materials and concentrating on glass we have we think created the entrance as originally designed.

"We have received very positive comments from local people as they have passed by.

"I understand the councils concerns but we had to do something.

"The windows were rotting and falling out.