Repairs boost for London churches

More than 12 places of worship will benefit from the windfall

Nearly £1m has been made available for vital repairs to some of London's historic chruches.

The grants will help restore more than 12 Grade II-listed places of worship.

The beneficiairies include the Church of the English Martyrs in Tower Hill, central London, and the Memorial Baptist Church, in Newham, east London.

The money is part of a nationwaide package of grants worth £6.6m announced by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and English Heritage.

'Significant shortfall'

Sue Bowers, of the HLF, said: "Places of worship are at the heart of local communities and people are passionate about caring for them."

The grants, worth £921,000, will go towards vital repair work to keep the buildings watertight and stable.

Donations by congregations have increased by 8% a year over the past four years, said the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres.

"Local churchgoers and their communities contribute some 70% of what is currently being spent on repairs," he said

"But this leaves a significant shortfall to make up."