AN HISTORIC church in Cheshire has won the largest slice of £1.3m awarded to religious buildings in the North West by English Heritage.

Grade II* listed St Mary's Church in West Bank, Widnes, is to receive a £353,000 grant to pay for structural repairs and the refurbishment of stone masonry.

The latest round of funding from English Heritage (EH) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will help to repair a total of 15 historic churches in the region and forms part of a £17m national repair package.

Jane Walker, regional case worker at English Heritage, said: "St Mary's Church has received one of the largest grants this year from English Heritage because of the urgency for repair work to its tower.

"The church, which was built in 1908 by Paley and Austin, needs very urgent repairs and is in significant need of financial help - which are our two main criteria to be eligible for a grant.

"The church will also have to do some of its own fund-raising to ensure the entire church remains open. It is a landmark church in Widnes not only for worshippers but for the community at large."

The Rev Ray Jones, minister at St Mary's, said: "On behalf of the people in West Bank I am delighted we have been awarded this grant.

We are not a very well-off community so the funding is well appreciated.

"We now have to raise £50,000 on our own to repair the tower.

"It allows us to keep the church open. We would be grateful for any support." uk