CHURCH members are celebrating a £63,000 windfall to help restore a 100ft tower and spire in desperate need of repair.

The grant, from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, is part of a £6.6m package to repair more than 70 historic grade II-listed churches and chapels nationwide.

Saltburn Methodist Church was one of five North-East churches to benefit from a share of the money.

The Milton Street church has an eight-sided spire on a 100ft square tower.

Over the years, metal supports have become severely corroded, and church members had the daunting task of raising £112,000 to repair the spire and guttering.

But with the grant offer of £63,000 and with more then £40,000 raised themselves, members are well on the way to achieving their target.

Church organist Roger Lobley said: "We are absolutely delighted with the money and think they have been very generous.

"We have about £7,000 or £8,000 to raise, but we are well on the way. We have raised the money through various fundraising events -coffee mornings; all the usual things. The parish council has been very generous too."

Work is expected to start in October or November.