A CHURCH in Whitefield is being given a new lease of life as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment of religious buildings in the north west.

Besses O'th Barn United Reformed Church is to receive more than £135,000 to repair its damaged roof.

Over the years, the roof has suffered from "nail fatigue", where the nails have become bent, causing slates to slip down. It will now be replaced in sections.

Work is due to start in autumn, before the winter weather sets in, but Rev Ruth Wollaston has no idea how long the work will take.

"We are currently undergoing investigations into how badly the roof is damaged and, because of the current vagueness of this, we don't know how long it will take. But the church will remain open for worship," she said.

"We've been struggling to get the money for six years, so we are very grateful,but it is not enough money to fix the entire roof. We hope that other grants will come through and help us repair all the damage."

The church, off Bury Old Road, was built in 1865 by Alfred Waterhouse, the same man commissioned to build Manchester Town Hall and Strangeways Prison.

It is home to many organisations including a dance class, lace making classes and an operatic society.

Rev Wollaston added: "People keep asking us why we maintain this enormous building but it is used everyday and is a benefit to so many different people in the Whitefield community. It is more than just a place of worship."

The grant, from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund, is part of more than £3.1 million given towards the repair of 30 historic churches and religious buildings across the north west.