A MUCH-NEEDED funding boost will help to secure the future of some of the region’s most historic churches and cathedrals.

Places of worship across the North-East and North Yorkshire will benefit from a share in a £22.9 million government funding package.

Money for urgent roof repairs will be distributed among 11 churches and cathedrals in the North-East and 17 in North Yorkshire.

The funding has been allocated as part of the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund and will allow venues to remain weather-tight, safe and open for use.

St Oswald’s Church in Hartlepool, St Thomas’ Church in Stockton and St Ives Church in Leadgate are among those sharing in the £419,600 funding pot allocated to the North-East.

In North Yorkshire, 17 places of worship will receive a share of £734,300, including St Peter’s Church in Osmotherley, near Northallerton (£17,200), St Matthew's Parish Church, Leyburn (£36,900), St Hilda's Church, Bilsdale Priory (£33,900), St Andrew's Church, Aysgarth (£27,300) and St Andrew's Church, Kirkby Malzeard (£21,200).

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has welcomed the boost in funding to 401 historic places of worship across the country.

He said: “Churches and cathedrals are a pillar of British life and we are committed to ensuring future generations will be able to admire and use these historic buildings.

“Thanks to the work we’ve done over the last six years to secure Britain’s long term economic security, we are able to support the upkeep and repair of places of worship across the UK.”

The churches and cathedrals will each receive between £10,000 and £100,000 to meet the costs of urgent repairs to roofs and rainwater disposal systems, with money also being provided for structural investigations, specialist reports and bat surveys.

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.”

The chair of the Church Buildings Council, Sir Tony Baldry, also welcomed the funding boost but urged the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s taskforce on church buildings to work to ensure sustainable funding for church buildings in the future.

A full list of the places of worship benefitting from the government funding boost can be found at gov.uk/dcms or lpowroof.org.uk.