NATURALIST Dr David Bellamy will cast a critical eye over a scheme that has made Dulverton's All Saints Church accessible to the disabled and turned its churchyard into "an area of tranquility".

The 77-year-old botanist, author, broadcaster and environmental campaigner has agreed to 'cut the ribbon' at an official celebration to mark the completion of a £160,000 package of measures in and around the Grade Two*listed church in June.

And this week church leaders welcomed the completion of the first phase of the work, which has seen the existing path to the church widened to provide access for the disabled and hearses.

Ivan Gunn of the Dulverton Churchyard Community Development Group said, having taken out a number of pews at the back of the church and installed a new wooden floor, it was now possible for wheelchair users to get right up to the alter rail.

The project won £50,000 of Big Lottery funding and also secured a £500 grant from Dulverton Town Council, with the shortfall being met by a legacy and church funds.

But it has not been without its critics, with concerns about the road element initially raised by English Heritage and both historic buildings and landscape officers from the Exmoor National Park.

The church lies within a designated Conservation Area and the Historic Core of Dulverton.

But Mr Gunn said: "One of the most encouraging things somebody said to me recently was that it didn't look as if anything had been done."

The path widening includes the creation of a turning area and project leaders have also planted around 10,000 bulbs - many with the help of local schoolchildren - in the church grounds to add to the hundreds already there.

More than 100 trees and shrubs have also been planted and the eventual aim is to allow better management of the existing trees.

Mr Gunn said by the time Dr Bellamy paid a visit there would be an interpretation board and leaflets with more details on the trees and the wildlife area it was hoped would develop.

Four seats would also be in place to giver people the chance to enjoy the surroundings.

The second phase of the project, including the installation of disabled toilets, is currently underway and the redecoration of the church will complete the work.

"We have carried out a tree survey and the information we have got from that will be used on the board and leaflets, with a plaque also put on every tree," said Mr Gunn.

"The outside really has become an area of tranquility and we have turned what was a one in six gradient slope into an access that everyone can use."

Photo: Steve Guscott