THE leaning spire of a church in Grosmont will be fixed thanks to Lottery funding.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a Round One Pass of £99,950 to carry out urgent repairs to St Nicholas' Church.

The community is delighted with the award, which is a significant contribution towards the £260,000 required to repair the roof and spire, treat beetle attack in the timbers and other urgent repairs.

The restoration is the first stage of securing this building for everyone to use and enjoy. Work is expected to start later this year, once all the funding is in place, with completion by late 2010.

St Nicholas' Church, which is listed as of outstanding architectural importance, has one of the largest medieval naves in a village church in South Wales.

During restoration, part of the spire will be taken down and rebuilt and substantial roof repairs undertaken. Urgent work to rebuild drains and soak-aways to stop water entering the building at ground level will be undertaken and roof timbers will be treated to stop beetle attack. Essential internal work will renew parts of the internal plaster which is in a hazardous state, repair windows and floors and other areas. The HLF grant will enable the church to complete the first phase of the overall renovation project. The congregation has already raised the funds to install an oil central heating system in the worship area so that the church can be used in all weathers. The next phase will involve plans to provide community facilities so that the building can be used more widely for receptions, concerts and village events.

Commenting on the award, the new Priest in Charge, the Rev Dr Jean Prosser said, "The community are working hard to raise match funding and this award is just the encouragement needed to really get the work underway. We have some way to go, but I have no doubt that the commitment and determination of the people of Grosmont will secure this magnificent building for future generations."

Explaining the importance of the award Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF in Wales said, "Wales' many churches are an important part of our heritage and are strongly associated with the local identity of the towns and villages they serve. We are delighted that this grant will help secure the future of St. Nicholas' Church, not just as a place of worship, but as a focus for community activity."