A church restoration project is one step closer to its target of raising £11,000 thanks to a donation from the team behind a major BP pipeline.

St Lawrence's Church, at East Rounton near Northallerton, dates back to the thirteenth century and is of great historical and artistic significance.

However its future lies in the success of the fundraising appeal to prevent closure and the donation from BP's Teesside to Saltend Ethylene Pipeline Team will be used to help to purchase a new wiring system.

Funds will also be used to preserve the exterior walls and new ventilation and heating systems also need to be installed to conserve the stained glass windows.

The church is historically important to the area and has a number of unusual features, the most significant being the chancel east window which depicts in stained glass St Lawrence with our Lady of Mount Grace.

The window is unique in that it is made of 'built-up' glass - the only other church in England with this style is Westminster Abbey.

BP's Teesside Pipeline manager Michael Thomson said he became familiar with the area while working on the pipeline.

"The church is very beautiful and the cornerstone of the community so we felt it was very important to support such a worthy appeal.

"I hope that the fundraising continues and the restoration is a success," he said.

Lady Venetia Bell, of the church fundraising group, said: "We are delighted with the interest that BP has taken in our beautiful little church and we are most grateful for the donation."

* The underground BP pipeline was constructed during 1998- 2000 and is now fully operational. It links the ethylene pipeline system on Teesside with BP plants in Hull and follows a route that passes close by East Rounton.