As Britain prepares for a winter forecast to be one of the worst on record, new funds have been earmarked by the Government to save crumbling churches.
The £15 million fund, which opens to applications next Monday, is for urgent roof repairs to listed places of worship of all faiths.
Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 will be made towards ceilings, timbers and vaults as well as gutters, gullies, drains and soakaways.
The fund, announced by the chancellor in his autumn statement yesterday, is being run by the National Heritage Memorial Fund on behalf of the Department for Culture Media and Sport.
It comes shortly after the addition of 805 parish churches to English Heritage's Heritage at Risk register.
The MP Sir Tony Baldry, who as second church estates commissioner represents the Church of England in Parliament, said: "England's parish churches are as much a part of the English landscape as the hedgerow or the oak tree. Some churches achieve beauty from their location, some churches are beautiful in themselves, other churches live in literature and legend.
"All parish churches need to have decent roofs and serviceable guttering. These are unromantic but essential. They are often expensive and it is very welcome news that the Government is providing £15 million for funding which can be applied for by churches which have roof repair needs. I think this is a very clear recognition on the part of the Government of the contribution that churches make to the life of England."
Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge said: "This will make a real and lasting difference to parishes that are awarded grants. A secure roof can last 100 years and will prevent gradual, and ultimately costly, decay of fabric. It will keep these important buildings warm and secure, allowing them to remain open and welcoming for both worship and wider community use. This fund will particularly provide relief for those parishes that are resource-poor, allowing them to focus their attention on growing their ministry and engaging with local people."
One church that might benefit is St Mary de Castro, an 1107 Grade I listed church in Leicester where the roof is so leaky that half a dozen buckets are used to catch dripping water when it rains.
Rosemary Mason, who is running a Save Our Spire appeal for the church, told The Telegraph: "Our church was around when Richard III was around, his father was knighted in our church and it is on the trail so it is important that our buildings are kept in good working order and looking their best.
"They need to be restored because restoring churches is protecting our heritage for future generations.
"All churches are in the same boat because the buildings are so old and you have to keep up constant maintenance. There is just not much money going around and so a fund like this is marvellous, it can help churches not only in cities but also in small villages where they are the heart of the community.
"Volunteers are always the ones who step in and raise money but there is only so much to go around."
