A HIDDEN historical gem in Stourbridge is going public to mark the end of its road to restoration.

The Quaker Meeting House, Scotts Road, dates back to 1689 and is the oldest building in the town centre area still used for its original purpose.

The landmark building has undergone a £40,000 upgrade and is celebrating by opening its doors for visitors as part of the nationwide Heritage Open Day event.

The Grade II listed building had problems with brickwork and its roof which threatened its future but contributions from Quaker trusts, Stourbridge Area Committee and the Waitrose Community Scheme all helped fundaisers ensure the restoration could go ahead.

John Lampen, from Stourbridge Quakers, said: "The Quakers are deeply grateful for all the help they received. The standards of work on the listed building are extremely high.

"Remarkably the weekly Sunday worship was able to continue throughout the period of repair."

The Meeting House will be open between 11.15am and 2.15pm on Sunday September 9 and historian Dr Paul Collins will giving a talk at the building on preserving the past at 2.30pm.

On Saturday September 8 the Black Country Society and Stourbridge Historical Society will be doing their bit for Heritage Open Day with an exhibition at Stourbridge Town Hall from 10am to 3pm.

Other attractions on the day will include a guided walk around Stourbridge, starting from the Town Hall foyer at 11am.

Councillor Melvyn Mottram, Mayor of Dudley, said: “Heritage Open Day is a great chance to find out more about our history and see some of the borough’s treasures."

For details about heritage open day events in Dudley visit www.discoverdudley.org.uk and go to events, or www.heritageopendays.org.uk