TWO West Devon churches are celebrating winning government grants of more than £150,000 in total to pay for vital roof repairs.

St Alban’s Church in?Beaworthy has been allocated a £55,900 grant, while St Lawrence in?Sheepwash has been given £96,000.

Of the 16 churches in Devon that have been awarded money for urgent roof repairs under the Government’s Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair scheme, 12 are Church of England parish churches. Louise Bartlett, Church Buildings Adviser for the Diocese of Exeter said: ‘We were very pleased to learn of the grants awarded to 12 of the parish churches in Devon, which will enable urgent roof and drainage repairs to be carried out.’

The Rev Jane Eleanor Lucas of St Alban’s said that the church had applied for funding last Christmas but was unsuccessful and after re-applying this year it received a grant from the Government which would be used to make emergency repairs to the church roof.

The Rev Lucas was also pleased that the Church of St Peters and St James in Halwill had also received money from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to fix a huge crack in the church’s tower.

The Government’s Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: ‘Churches and cathedrals are the jewel in the crown of our national heritage and it is vital they remain in good repair and are accessible for all. These buildings are at the heart of communities across the country and I am delighted so many will benefit from this important fund.’