CHURCHGOERS are another step closer in securing the future of their church, with the National Lottery Heritage Fund granting them almost £30,000.

St Michael & All Angels' church in Kingsland, near Leominster, is in need of urgent repairs and the group which runs it wants to increase its use by locals and tourists.

Kingsland Parochial Church Council's ‘Familiar Treasure in our Midst’ project aims to provide the building with sustainable future by improving its physical condition.

Funding of £29,100 has been granted and it will help the project team progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £500,000 next year. The development work will include a range of architectural investigations, further planning of proposed activities and events, and a major fundraising programme.

Urgent repairs and redecoration will be carried out throughout the building, ensuring that it remains safe, watertight and accessible for current and future generations. The real focus of the project, however, will be a series of community events and activities linked to the heritage of the church and the village which surrounds it.

Project manager and church warden Peter King said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players.

"We’ve been given a marvellous opportunity to smarten up our church and to get people much more interested and engaged with its fascinating heritage.

"With 700 years of history behind it, we’re sure that St Michael and All Angels has some more exciting times ahead.”