A Sydenham community gathered to celebrate the restoration of a historic church spire built by Sir Christopher Wren.

Originally found on top of St Antholin's Church in the City of London, the spire was moved to Round Hill in the 1800s after it was damaged in a storm, where it is surrounded by a 1960s estate.

Heritage of London Trust launched a restoration project in November to bring the unique landmark back to its former glory, after some of its features became damaged over the years.

An excited group of year 5 pupils from Holy Trinity Primary School marked the restoration's completion, along with the conservation team and members of local societies.

Heritage of London Trust Director, Dr Nicola Stacey, said: “We’re so pleased to have restored this amazing monument – it has a brilliant survival story and it’s a great chance for people to get up close to a unique piece of British architecture.

"We hope that by bringing school children here today we’re inspiring the Christopher Wrens of the future.”

Sir Christopher Wren is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history. He designed numerous famous landmarks, including St Pauls.

The Round Hill spire was part of the St Antholin's Church, which was one of 51 rebuilt after the Great Fire.

In 1829, the upper part of the spire was damaged in a storm, but it was rescued and sold for £5 to one of St Antholin’s churchwardens, Robert Harrild.

Harrild, a printing pioneer, brought Round Hill House and had the spire transported by horse and cart to be re-erected on a brick plinth in his garden.

Round Hill House became the Sydenham and Forest Hill Social Club in the 1930s but was later demolished and replaced by the current housing estate in the 1960s.

The spire survives on a brick plinth in the centre of the estate along with a large cedar tree from Mr Harrild’s garden.

In October, HOLT invited two local schools – primary (Holy Trinity School, Forest Hill) and secondary (Sydenham School) – to the site to learn about the Great Fire of London, Sir Christopher Wren & his rebuilding of London, and their local philanthropist.

Freya Joseph-Howe, aged 10, who cut the ribbon, said: “I cut the ribbon today for the spire and I loved cutting the ribbon because I’ve never done it before - I’m going to bring all of our family up to see it, our mum and auntie, everyone.”

Heritage of London Trust launched the project with the support of L&Q, the estate’s property managers, who provided £7,000 in addition to the Trust's £8,600.