Churches share £1.3m repair fund

Eleven churches in the East Midlands will receive a share of £1.3m for essential repair work.

English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) allocated the money to Grade I and II listed buildings.

St Mary's church in Freeby, Leicestershire, has been awarded £214,000 for structural repairs.

Two churches in Derbyshire, two in Nottinghamshire, five in Lincolnshire and one church in Northamptonshire will also share the funding.

Other grants awarded St Mary the Virgin, Little Hougton, Northants - £77,000 St John the Baptist, Chelmorton, Derbys - £114,000 All Saints, Derby - £49,000 St Swithun, East Retford, Notts - £174,000 Holy Trinity, Kirton, Notts - £62,000 St John the Baptist, Nettleton, Lincs - £157,000 Holy Trinity, Swallow, Lincs - £53,000 Holy Trinity, Raithby, Lincs - £169,000

St Mary in Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire, has been awarded £184,000 for repairs to its chancel roof coverings and timber repairs.

Dr Anthony Streeten, Regional Director for English Heritage in the East Midlands, said: "Our grant offers in the East Midlands will help church communities with the immense task of repairing these important buildings and ensuring that they remain at the heart of local communities.

"These Grade I and II churches represent one of the finest aspects of the region's heritage which we have a duty to protect for present and future generations to enjoy."

Carole Souter, chief executive of HLF, added: "These wonderful buildings are often central to community life and play an important role in people's everyday lives, but maintaining them is always a challenge.

"This substantial investment will help fund the vital repairs necessary to secure their long-term futures."