A CONGREGATION trying to raise £45,000 for urgent repairs to a grade one listed church has been given a boost.

St Helen’s Church, in Kelloe, has a leaking roof which needs replacing.

The repairs on the 11th century church, which attracts international visitors thanks to a rare stone carved cross, will cost about £141,000.

A further £6,000 has been added to the coffers by county councillors Jan Blakey, Maria Plews and Mac Williams while Kelloe Parish Council has also contributed £500.

It brings their total to around £113,000, which includes a £94,000 grant from a Government roof repair fund.

Keith Pounder, secretary of the Parochial Church Council said: “We are extremely grateful to our local county councillors for this contribution, and their interest in ensuring that our historic church is preserved within the community for future generations.

“It’s been an encouraging response. We are making good progress but we still have some way to go.”

The church is famed for being the first church of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who was born at nearby Coxhoe Hall and was christened at St Helen’s in 1808.

It is also home to the St Helen’s Cross, a late 12th century cross to the empress and mother of the Christian Emporer of Rome, Constantine.

The cross, which was broken in six pieces, was discovered in the wall of the church in the 19th century and was restored in the 1970s.

To find out more about the fundraising or to make a donation contact Glenys King by calling 0191 377 8466 or emailing 1glenysking62@gmail.com