A church has been awarded financial support to preserve it for use by its community.

The Parochial Church Council of St Botolph's Church, Barford has received a National Lottery Grant of £137,500 towards the project, which starts in October 2018 and ends in April 2020.

Extensive repairs will be carried out to the tower and external walls, and a new path to the north door will allow access into the church for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Modifications to seating arrangements, and movement of the font and heaters, will create a more accessible environment.

Wildlife areas in the churchyard, created by school children with help from Norfolk Wildlife Trust, will be used for ecological studies.

Rev. Tim Weatherstone said, 'It is vital that our historic church, which is constructed in a range of architectural styles and dates from at least the twelfth century, is saved to enable it to remain at the centre of the local community.'