Grant joy for churches at Sedgeford and Litcham

All Saints Church in Litcham. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2015)

They are among 29 churches and chapels across the UK to benefit from the latest grants from the from the National Churches Trust.

St Mary the Virgin Church, at Sedgeford, will receive £15,000 for repairs to its roof and drains.

All Saints, at Litcham, will receive a £10,000 grant to help towards the cost of repairing its roof.

Huw Edwards, Vice-President of the National Churches Trust said: 'I'm delighted that the future of All Saint's Church, Litcham and St Mary the Virgin, Sedgeford is being safeguarded by National Churches Trust grants. This funding will help ensure that these two much loved Norfolk churches continue to serve local people for many years to come.

'This Christmas, when people visit a church for a carol service or even just walk past a church on the way to do the Christmas shopping, I urge them to think about how they can help ensure that churches remain open and good repair for future generations.

'Everyone can make a contribution to the future of the UK's church and chapel buildings. That could be by helping to clear drains and gutters to help keep churches watertight, volunteering to help out as a guide to show people the history and architecture of places of worship or keeping an eye out for vandals or thieves. '

St Mary, at Sedgeford, is one of the largest of Norfolk's Rrund tower churches and a Grade 1 listed building.

Its £15,000 grant will help fund repairs to the south side of the church roof and drainage system to make the building watertight and warm.

All Saints, at Litcham, is on Historic England's at risk register.

The grant will help to re-slate the nave roof and re-lead the south aisle roof. This will improve the interior of the building by stopping water coming through.