A WEST Devon church has taken a major step forward in a project to make vital repairs to its crumbling tower, following a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

St Peter's Church in Lamerton will receive £120,000 — the grant forming part of more than £1-million of Lottery funding to support urgent repairs to eleven of the South West's most important Listed churches.

The money comes from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme, which is funded by HLF and administered by English Heritage.

The Grade II* Listed Church of St Peter is early 15th century in origin, with the addition of a later tower.

The church was restored in the 1870s before suffering a major fire in 1877 which destroyed almost everything except for the external walls and the tower. Rebuilding was carried out between 1879 and 1880, faithfully following the 15th century design.

This grant will enable vital works, including repairs and remedial work to the damp tower, and involves a comprehensive investigation stage, as the exact cause of the dampness is not yet known.

Ian Minshull, churchwarden at St Peter's, said: 'We are absolutely delighted about the grant. Without it, it would have been very touch and go— when you have bits of masonry starting to fall off, you start to think about having to shut the building.

'There's also a footpath which goes through the churchyard, so the implications were quite substantial.'

Mr Minshull said the grant meant that the first stage of the project could be started, which would include the investigations into the cause of the damp problems.

The parish has already raised some £25,000 over the last two years towards the renovations.

Mr Minshull said: 'It's a lot of money for a small village to raise but it's incredible how generous people are.

'They really don't want the church to close and I think we have shown the Heritage Lottery people that we were determined to do something about it.'

Mr Minshull said the church has applied for other grants and fundraising was still being carried out month on month. He estimated around £190,000 would be needed in total.

'We are very grateful for what we have raised so far and we are pretty confident we will get the money somehow — that's the attitude you have to have.'

Richard Bellamy, head of HLF in the South West, said: 'Historic places of worship are an irreplaceable part of our heritage that continues to play a vital role within local communities today.

'In the last ten years, the Heritage Lottery Fund has invested £155-million into these wonderful buildings and I am delighted we are able to continue supporting congregations across the South West to safeguard them for future generations.'

Andrew Vines, South West planning director for English Heritage, said: 'We are delighted that these important buildings will benefit from HLF funding and English Heritage's expert advice. 

'We know that maintaining places of worship and developing them sensitively is a major challenge and we are glad to work with the inspiring volunteers who make repairs and enhancements happen.'