Listed churches win share of £15m

Twenty two historic Norfolk churches are to receive a share of £15.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The churches are among 150 Grade I and Grade II listed places of worship across England in need of urgent work.

St Michael's Church, Hockering, is to receive £165,000, while St Michael Parish Church, Langley and All Saints, Necton will each receive £138,000.

In total, churches in the East will receive £3.5m. Many of those chosen for grants date from early medieval times.

All Saints Church in Catfield and All Saints Church in Edingthorpe will receive £113,000 and £86,000 respectively for re-thatching their roofs using traditional craft skills and local Norfolk reed.

The Grade I listed St Mary's in Aldeby has been given £117,000 for repairs to its roof.

Greg Luton, regional director for English Heritage in the East of England, said: "From the rural parish churches of the East of England to the splendour of the New West End Synagogue in London's Bayswater, England's places of worship face some serious challenges.

"These grants will fund urgent repairs so that these wonderful buildings which are so central to this country's heritage and identity can remain in use."