A HISTORIC church has received a grant of over £150,000 for repairs. St Mary the Virgin Church in Great Wymondley is the only church in Comet country to receive the money, which came from the English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. In total £2.4m

A HISTORIC church has received a grant of over £150,000 for repairs.

St Mary the Virgin Church in Great Wymondley is the only church in Comet country to receive the money, which came from the English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In total £2.4m has been given to 24 Grade I and II listed churches and chapels across the East of England.

St Mary's dates from the early 12th century but is in need of urgent high level structural repairs to the tower parapets and walls, roof and buttresses.

Church warden Cherry Carter said: "We're very pleased indeed. We asked for a grant last year but we were unsuccessful with that.

"We're a tiny, tiny community and there are people who drive through the village and don't realise we have a wonderful Grade I listed building.

"There are various repairs which are needed, for example water comes in through near the tower, and the money will go towards these."

Another church warden, Paul Harding, said the grant was in two parts.

Mr Harding said: "There is £24,000 which is for this year for the investigation into what needs to be done. This money will go towards architects' fees, for example.

"Then there is £127,000 for the main work which needs to be done in 2008.

"We also need to raise £75,000 as our proportion towards the costs, and we are hoping to launch a fund to raise that money by the end of December.