TWO Ryedale churches are among those set to benefit from a £1.6m Government fund designed to help places of worship.

St Peter's Church in Norton and All Saints Church in Terrington will both receive cash to help address urgent roof repairs.

St Peter’s will get £77,100 to repair its bell tower, after successfully applying to the fund.

Reverend Rachel Hirst of St Peter's, said: "The bell tower needs a new roof and repairs to the stone work to make it watertight and safe, and to ensure its sustainability for the future.

"We have been fundraising for the last year and have managed to raise about £14,000 which has included individual gifts and proceeds from events.

"We are very grateful to so many local organisations and clubs for their generous donations and especially Norton Primary School which has done some amazing fundraising events.

"This grant means we can now complete the work, although we are not sure yet when it will commence.

"As well as being an important part of the church, housing a nationally acclaimed set of bells, many people in the community enjoy seeing the tower and especially the lit cross or flags at different times of the year. We are very grateful to the fund for this award."

Grade-I listed All Saints Church, in Terrington, will benefit from £42,800, after the parochial church council successfully applied. The project is to repair the south aisle roof, its porch and south clerestory above.

The building has Anglo-Saxon origins with 12th, 14th and 15th century additions. The roof repairs will protect the oldest part of the church including herringbone stonework and a small 11th century window with a lintel created from an earlier 9th century recycled gravestone.

The church is on the northern edge of the village overlooking the Howardian Hills to the North York Moors beyond. It has been a place of worship for the community for at least 1,000 years.

Helen Ashdown, from the church, said: "This is third time lucky applying for a grant to repair the roof. We are delighted and privileged to be given the opportunity to be able to preserve this important place of prayer and local heritage at the heart of our community.

"It seems fitting that the money comes from a fund set up to commemorate those who have given their lives for the country during this period of the centenary of the First World War."

The two churches will join 33 from across the Yorkshire and Humber region to benefit. The £1.6m is part of a wider funding package of £22.9m to 401 historic places of worship across the UK.

Tracey Crouch, heritage minister, said: "Churches and cathedrals are the jewel in the crown of our national heritage and it is vital they remain in good repair. These buildings are at the heart of communities across the country and I am delighted so many will benefit from this important fund."