A landmark church is reopening its doors to worshippers today - 14 months after being deluged by floodwater during Storm Desmond.

A special service to welcome back parishioners is taking place at St Aidan's Church in Warwick Road, which was in one of the worst-hit areas as the latest natural disaster to hit Carlisle struck in December 2015.

A hold-up in the delivery of new furniture has delayed the return of parishioners after floodwater completely destroyed the church's wooden pews.

During the church's downtime parishioners have been made welcome at St Cuthbert's Church in the city centre.

Reverend Keith Teasdale, the church's vicar and city centre chaplain, is looking forward to welcoming back worshipers.

"The congregation will be around 100-strong as we have invited worshipers from St Cuthbert's Church to attend this special service," said the Rev Teasdale.

"St Cuthbert's has been very supportive and very generous during what has been a very difficult time for everyone."

The choirs from both churches will join together for the service, which starts at 10am.

It will be attended by Carlisle's MP, John Stevenson, and the Mayor, Colin Stothard.

"We got together for a Carol Service in December, but had to borrow seating.

"Now our chairs have arrived we are definitely now open," he added.

"We have some oak-framed chairs that are padded and have a little place for books.

"We can now seat 250 in the church, more than we had previously with the pews."

The church is also opening up for community use and has planned a concert on March 30 with the Border Concert Band, with cash raised going to the Mayor's Charity.

"Many of the congregation's homes were flooded, myself included," added the Rev Teasdale.

"We have to put it behind us and look forward.

"But we also have to remember there are still some people who are not back in their homes or businesses."

He added he and his family had moved back into the vicarage last October, after his home was also wrecked during the floods.