Cash to restore Midlands churches

More than £1.7m has been awarded from lottery funds to restore eight churches across the West Midlands.

The Heritage Lottery Fund cash is being made available to Grade I or II listed buildings in need of urgent repair.

Those benefiting include the 13th century Church of St Mary and All Saints in Bradley, Staffordshire, which needs its lead nave roof replacing.

Churches in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Warwickshire will also benefit.

Drop in ocean

Other churches receiving a grant are St James' Church in Wigmore, Herefordshire, St John the Baptist's Church in Eldersfield, Worcestershire, and St Andrew's Church in Shifnal, Shropshire.

There is also money for the neigbouring Warwickshire villages of All Saints' Church in Stretton-on-Dunsmore and St Margaret's Church in Wolston, on the edge of Coventry.

Simon Thurley, English Heritage's chief executive, said: "The financial support English Heritage provides to church buildings and other places of worship through this scheme is a drop in the ocean compared with the huge amounts raised by dedicated volunteers and popular support.

"Places of worship are close to the heartbeat of our communities - baptisms, weddings and funerals of the people we love take place in these buildings."

That is why so many people care about places of worship, he added.