The tomb of Thomas Audley, who supported King Henry VIII through his divorces, marriages, burnings and beheadings, is to be put on view for the public as part of a programme of improvements to St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden.

His tomb will become more easily accessible, moved to a prominent position the North Aisle in the Nave.

The church is launching a £500,000 fundraising campaign for a building and better heating project. This will also include better disabled access, more seating near the font for baptisms and a social space at the back of the church with tea and coffee facilities.

Saffron Walden Architects Kay Pilsbury Thomas (KPTA) have been appointed and the congregation is being invited to a “gift weekend” on July 4 and 5 when there will be a display of the plans, they can ask questions about the project and make donations.

David Thomlinson, Rector of St Mary’s said: “Six years of careful planning and hard work have gone into these ambitious plans to ensure that they will be sympathetic to the 15th century church, one of the largest and grandest in Essex.

“The improvements are for the benefit of everyone who comes to St Mary’s now, and everyone who will come in the future. They will help us fulfil our aim of offering a warm welcome and generous hospitality to all, and our mission of sharing God’s love.”