WORK has started to restore a historic church because of deteriorating stonework.

The church of St Mary Magdalene, in Belmont, Durham, needs around £100,000 work of done to it.

The grade II listed church, which was built in 1857 as an extension to the overflowing one at St Giles, needs its stonework repaired, along with other work, and was placed on English Heritage’s buildings at risk register in 2017.

It has been given a grant of £80,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, while church goers have raised a further £20,000 to allow the work to start.

Reverend Heather Murray, who became priest-in-charge of The United Benefice of St. Mary Magdalene and St Laurence, Pittington, and Area Dean of Durham, in July, said: “These are exciting times for our church: we are thankful that, with the money raised by National Lottery players.

“St Mary Magdalene will continue be in an attractive building at the heart of the community which its serves, through mission and outreach, for many many years to come.”