Cash boost to fix closed church

A church which has been closed for a year because it could not afford to have essential repairs carried out, has been awarded nearly £70,000 of funding.

St John's Church in Accrington, Lancashire, is the site of a memorial to the Accrington Pals.

The money is from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, which have announced £2m of grants for Grade II-listed churches across the North West.

St John's had to close when electrical problems were discovered.

Its parishioners have spent the past year raising money for the church and have raised more than £35,000.

The £67,000 grant means once an inspection of the roof and walls is carried out next summer, the church council can decide whether to go ahead with major repairs.

'Historic buildings'

Another church in the county has also received funding.

Holy Trinity in Blackpool will receive £217,000 for roof, window and stonework repairs.

Henry Owen-John, from English Heritage said: "England's churches and chapels are the spiritual, communal and architectural backbone of our villages, towns and cities.

"English Heritage is proud to be supporting the repair of these important historic buildings.

"We hope our contribution will allow them to remain in use by the communities that enjoy them."