REPAIRS will begin on a church following a two-year grant bid.

St Peter’s Church in Darwen has been awarded £206,000 following the second round of their application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The church successfully completed the first round in 2016 and was awarded £33,000 which was used to pay for consultations which determined the total cost of the project would be £300,000.

The additional cost has been provided by grants from the National Churches Trust, the All Churches Trust and the Garfield Weston Trust, as well as parish fundraising.

The Rev Canon Fleur Green said the money will help revitalise the church, with the main bulk being spent on the roof.

She said: “Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, restoration of the north and south aisle roofs will start this month.

“The project aims to make St Peter’s Church watertight again and we are hoping to spend some of our legacy money on a new lighting system.

“We will also be recruiting volunteers to support the introduction of a a new website, history booklet and new street sign.”

She said the money will also be used to update the church’s heritage section, which was installed last September in time for the Heritage Festival.

She said: “The award from the Heritage Lottery Fund not only secures the future of this precious building, but gives us the opportunity to promote the heritage, not as a museum, but as a thriving community at the heart of Darwen.

“We will be recruiting and training volunteer tour guides and installing a new archive of material which record the church’s heritage as well as touch tours for the visually impaired.

“It will also mean that alongside being a worshipping community, we can serve our local community better in the centre of town.

“We want to see St Peter’s 800 capacity in full use, not only for worship, but also for arts events, concerts and public meetings.

“We are very grateful indeed to National Lottery players for the chance to ensure that St Peter’s continues to support the lives of the people of Darwen and extend the warmest welcome to everyone.”

Nathan Lee, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said “We have been delighted to support St Peter’s Church to carry out urgent repairs and engage new audiences with this much-loved local landmark. Thank you to the National Lottery players who have made it possible.”