A cash injection has brought extra Christmas cheer to one of Norwich's most recognisable buildings.

The �60,000 grant from the Cathedral Fabric Repair Fund will be used for essential repair work at Norwich Cathedral.

It means work can now begin in early 2012 to re-lead the roof on St Luke's Chapel at the cathedral and conserve its timber work. The money will also be used to repair the wall heads and plaster in the muniments room beneath the roof.

The project is expected to cost more than �100,000, which will be met by the grant and matched funding from the Friends of Norwich Cathedral.

'Work to re-lead the chapel roof has been long overdue,' said the Dean of Norwich, the Very Reverend Graham Smith. 'For years it has been held together with aluminium tape to prevent leaking, but there has been a danger that it could cause more damage long term.

'We are very grateful to the Cathedral Repair Fabric Fund for the grant, which will enable us to continue improving the cathedral experience for our congregation and for the thousands who visit us each year from Norfolk and all over the world.'

St Luke's Chapel, named due to its use by the Guild of St Luke which represents glaziers and plumbers in Norwich, houses the Despenser Retable, a treasured piece of medieval art that was completed in the late 14th century and survived the civil war because it was turned upside down and used as a work table.

Norwich Cathedral is one of 12 Anglican places of worship to benefit from repair grants, which amount to �718,000 in total.

The Cathedral Repair Fabric Fund is a partnership between the Wolfson Foundation, Pilgrim Trust and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE).

Are you trying to preserve a historic building? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.