THE congregation of a church with features dating back to the 12th century is celebrating after being handed £175,000 towards preserving the building.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will fund essential repairs to the 165-year-old stone slate roof at All Saints Church, in Newton on Ouse, south of Thirsk, and also pay for repairs to the rusticated rubblestone stonework and glazing and the coursed dressed sandstone tower.

There are also plans for new leaflets and displays, with exhibitions about the different churches which have been on the site and the current church, as well as talks on the role the church has played in village life.

Churchwarden David Theakstone said: "After two years of planning, we can at last look forward to making firm plans for the project, as we seek to repair and restore the important heritage within the church and encourage greater engagement within our community and the wider public.

"As more and more people become interested in their family and local history, it is vital we protect these wonderful buildings and keep them open to the public.”

As the local church for prominent landowners the Dawnay family, All Saints was designed by architect GT Andrews to impress and is Grade II listed.

The limestone spire is a local landmark, which was used as a navigation aid during the Second World War for planes returning from bombing missions to RAF Linton on Ouse.