Four churches in the Times’ area are among those to benefit from more than �3m of grant funding.

English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund have announced that 18 Grade I and Grade II-listed churches in the county are to receive grants ranging from �47,000 to �214,000 to restore the historic buildings, some of which date back to the 12th century.

St John Church in Oxborough is to receive a �157,000 windfall, while All Saints Church in Croxton has been awarded �103,000.

There was also good news for St Michael Church in Great Cressingham, which is in line for �75,000, and St Andrew Church in Holme Hale, set to receive a �65,000 grant.

Greg Luton, regional director for English Heritage in the East of England, said: “Thanks to the generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and ultimately therefore of Lottery players, our historic places of worship in direct need still have the vital safety net of the Repair Grants scheme.

“Without it, many brave but struggling congregations would be faced with watching their beloved churches and chapels falling into ruin. Instead, the combination of Heritage Lottery Fund money and English Heritage advice is seeing these wonderful buildings revived and restored and becoming ever more central to their communities as places of prayer and celebration and as a hub for local services.”