Extra cash for threatened abbey

£4m is needed to carry out restoration work

An appeal to restore an endangered North Yorkshire abbey to its former glory has received a £295,000 boost.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the grant towards a 10-year programme of repairs at 900-year-old Selby Abbey.

Fundraisers have now collected £2.2m of the £4m they need to repair severe damage to the stonework caused by industrial pollution.

Last year, World Monuments Watch listed the abbey as one of the world's 101 most endangered historic sites.

Dr Ingrid Roscoe, high steward of Selby Abbey, said: "We are thrilled that the heritage Lottery Fund have awarded us £295,000.

"Their continuing support means so much to all of us involved in this campaign.

"So much still remains to be done but we are immensely grateful to all those who have helped us so far."