Two Warwickshire churches receive vital repair funds
A grant will literally keep a roof over two of Warwickshire's Grade II listed churches.
The Heritage Lottery Fund will provide £117,000 for repairs at Holy Trinity Church, Arrow, and St Peter's Church, Bourton-on-Dunsmore.
The money comes from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme, funded by HLF and administered by English Heritage.
Holy Trinity Church will get £69,000, to fix a roof damaged by dry rot.
Christopher Baker, parochial church council secretary, said: "We've been fundraising for 15 years to replace the roof that's been damaged by dry rot and with a congregation of just 20 to 25 people, you can imagine this has been very hard work.
"The grant will mean the difference between waiting for the roof to fall in and finally fixing it. It's wonderful really, a tremendous lift.
"The recognition and official support from English Heritage is almost as valuable as the money. Their endorsement means so much."
St Peter's Church, Bouton on Dunsmore has been awarded a grant of £48,000.
The Rev Cannon Barbara Clutton, priest in charge of the Draycote Group, is "delighted" with the grant.
She said: "We've got a beautiful church but it does need important repairs, not least because we have death watch beetle in the roof.
"This grant will literally help us to keep a roof on the church and make sure it can stay a place of worship within the village.
"We're absolutely delighted our small village has been recognised. We would struggle to raise all the funds we need ourselves as we're such a small community."