Churches across Melton area awarded thousands of pounds for repairs

Clockwise from top left: St Mary's, Melton; St Leonard's, Sysonby; United Reformed Church, Melton; All Saints', Rotherby

Twenty-one churches in the Melton Mowbray area have received thousands of pounds towards vital conservation and maintenance work.

They are among nearly 5,000 religious buildings across the UK which have been given a share of £42million in government funding.

St Leonard’s Church at Sysonby receives more than £8,000 while St Michael and All Angels at Brooksby gets just under £5,500.

In the town centre, the Melton Mowbray United Reformed Church, which has been a feature of Chapel Street for more than 200 years, has been awarded almost £3,000.

Melton Mowbray’s iconic St Mary’s Church and All Saints’ at Asfordby both benefit to the tune of £1,500 each.

There is almost £3,500 to All Saints’ Church at Rotherby while Stapleford's St Mary’s Church received nearly £2,000.

Other beneficiaries were made as follows: St Mary The Virgin, Burrough-on-the-Hill £295; St Michael and All Angels, Edmondthorpe £579; St Thomas of Canterbury, Frisby £376; All Saints (Pickwell and Leesthorpe) £1,895; Garthorpe St Mary £1,128; Freeby St Mary £445; St James Church, Little Dalby £1,653; St John the Baptist, Grimston £229; St Peter’s, Saxelbye £1,201; St Michael and All Angels, Hose £913; St Bartholomew’s, Sproxton £700; St Mary’s, Brentingby £114; St Mary The Virgin, Wyfordby £743; St Andrew’s Church, Whissendine £217.

Leicester Cathedral has also received more than £600,000 to carry out essential restoration works in the historic building.

This includes renewing the cathedral’s heating, lighting and electrics and also helping to create a heritage learning centre for visitors from the local community and beyond.