URGENT work to repair the roofs on both transepts of St Andrew's Church in South Tawton is closer to becoming a reality, thanks to a £151,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The church is one of eleven across the South West to receive a portion of more than £1-million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support urgent repairs.

St Andrew's has major leaks in both the north and south aisles, and this has also caused internal damage.

Repair work is required to renew the lead covering on both transepts, as well as internal timber repairs and removal of cement based render on the south parapet.

Over the years, the roof has been patched up and temporarily repaired many times, but it has got to the point that such work is no longer sufficient and a more permanent solution is needed.

The grant will cover 68 per cent of the total repair costs, with the parish still needing to raise around £70,000 to complete the work.

Churchwarden Lorinda Legge said she was very happy with the grant, but there was still a lot of hard work to be done.

She said: 'It is a great relief to receive such a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund during such difficult times.

'It covers a large proportion of the funding needed for the roof, but there is much fundraising still to be done.

'The roof is letting in water. You can see around the walls the damp stains. We are also fearful of wet rot, but we will see. Work is urgently needed.

'We are applying for other grants and fundraising events have already begun, with more in the pipeline. In a small village like this though, it won't be easy to raise that during difficult times.

'All we can do is hope that people support our fundraising efforts and we can find additional grants to save the roof.'

The church is a Grade 1 listed building of Norman origin, making it a building of exceptional interest.

The church consists of the chancel, north chapel and south chapel, nave, north and south aisles and the embattled double-buttressed tower which stands at 75 feet high and houses six bells.

The Parochial Church Council are considering ways to try and raise the £70,000 necessary to save the church roof, and is welcoming all ideas from the community.

A public meeting will be held in the near future to discuss the repairs and establish a fundraising committee, but in the mean time all ideas are welcome to be submitted to Lorinda Legge on 01837 840326.