Places of worship share in windfall

The cash has been allocated to Durham Cathedral, to continue with work on the external masonry, Ripon Cathedral, to replace its leaking roof, and Newcastle Church of England Cathedral, to renew some lead roofing.

The landmarks are sharing in a total of £2m funding from English Heritage towards new and ongoing conservation work.

The largest of the grants goes to Ripon Cathedral, England's oldest cathedral, where people have gone to worship for more than 1,300 years.

Almost £150,000 will help fund the repairs to the leaking nave roof, which is more than 130 years old.

The cost of the project will total £500,000, with the shortfall being raised by the newly- established Ripon Cathedral Development Campaign. The re-roofing will include replacing nearly 5,000 slates and fitting rooftop safety facilities.

Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Metheun, gave a warm welcome to English Heritage's major contribution.

He said: "I am sure many people will also want to contribute towards this important work. It will help to secure the oldest cathedral building in England for future generations."

English Heritage Yorkshire director David Fraser said: "Cathedrals such as Ripon are important not only for their architecture and historic interest but for their works of art and fine craftsmanship.

"Repairing the roof now before water begins to damage the priceless interior will avoid a far more costly bill in the future. It is vital that our historic assets are maintained and their futures safeguarded."

Durham Cathedral receives a grant of up to £102,000 towards continuing conservation work. The building is in its fifth phase of repair, with work being done in the Chapel of the Nine Altars.

Newcastle's St Nicholas' Cathedral receives funding of up to £30,000 towards a programme of re-leading that started last year on the north transept. The grant will specifically aid the renewal of the lead roof coverings of St Margaret's Chapel