TWO churches in lower Wensleydale are among half a dozen in the Yorkshire region to benefit from a £600,000 cash windfall from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.

St John The Evangelist Church, in Bellerby, near Leyburn, has been earmarked for a £40,000 grant to help cover the cost of urgent repairs to the roof and tower.

Holy Trinity Church, in the tiny hamlet of Cowling, near Bedale, will also receive £74,000 for more comprehensive restoration scheme, which also includes repointing some of the exterior masonry, a new floor inside and repairing the church clocks.

The money comes from a partnership between the National Lottery and English Heritage, which was set up to assist listed places of worship in need of repair which would struggle to find the funds on their own.

However, Bellerby vicar, the Reverend Christopher Huggett, said the community also deserved credit for raising £16,000 themselves.

"Everyone in the village has been marvellous," he said. "Even people who don't normally attend church have helped.

"However, it is possible we may have to raise even more; we won't know for sure until architects from English Heritage have examined the building and decided what they think needs doing."

Acting regional director for English Heritage, John Hinchliffe, said he hoped the grants will make a big difference.

"Being able to make timely repairs often avoids a much bigger bill further down the road," he said.

Ian Carstairs, regional chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "Yorkshire's churches and places of worship are hugely important for their architectural and historic value, but also provide local communities with a vital place to come together.

"This major investment will ensure that they can continue to be enjoyed for years to come."

Other North Yorkshire churches to benefit include York's St Laurence, which is to receive £220,000 towards a comprehensive facelift, including a new roof, timberwork, masonry and plasterwork.

St John's, in Whitby, will receive £36,000 to help cover the cost of repairs to the bell tower as well as the church roof.

The Sheffield Buddhist Centre and St James's Church in Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, are the other places of worship earmarked for grants.