£250k boost for restoration of historic church

Part of the cash will go towards repairing the church's roofs, preventing further water ingress and protecting the landmark's interior

A historic church has been awarded almost £250,000 to fund urgent repairs and restoration work.

Grade I-listed St Walburge's Church in Preston is described as one of the most architecturally important 19th Century Catholic churches in Britain.

Designed by revered architect Joseph Hansom and built between 1850 and 1854, the landmark Pedder Street building is famed for its 309ft (95m) spire, the tallest parish church in England.

Part of the money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will go towards repairing the south roofs, preventing further water ingress and protecting the landmark's interior.

The funding will also help the church preserve and make more accessible its parish archives, and safeguard and share its unique liturgical heritage of Gregorian chant.

It will fund conservation skills through workshops with the University of Lancashire's school of engineering and its specialist roofing contractor, HCR.

Money will also go towards training volunteers in heritage research, cataloguing and communication skills.