A CHURCH is set to undergo vital repairs and conservation thanks to a funding grant.

St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, will see its historic building transformed and funding go towards their heritage interpretation project.

The church – partnered with archaeologist firm DigVentures – received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £320,500 for their windows to the world partnership project.

The restoration will see conservation work carried out to the walls, tower and stained glass windows of the 900-year-old parish church which will be carried out next year.

The church has important links with Richard III and the project has received financial support from The Richard III Society.

Alec Harding, vicar of the church, welcomed the support for the project from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

He said: “The award of this grant enables us to carry out urgently needed church restoration works and opens up new ways for the church to engage with the local community.

"When these works are completed next year, the church will be weather tight for future generations and we hope that we will have created a community of all ages who will have a long term interest in this historic building.”

David Renwick, area director for the north, national lottery heritage fund said: “We are delighted to support this wonderful project at St Mary’s Church, Barnard Castle, which thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep.”

DigVentures is preparing to run a project to involve the community in the heritage of the church building and its place in the town's history, engaging the wider community in other aspects of the town's history.

Lisa Westcott Wilkins of DigVentures said: “We are really excited to have the opportunity to help St Mary’s with this project.

"We’re looking forward to adding new opportunities for the church as a heritage destination in the already strong cultural mix of Barnard Castle, as well as involving the local community in many new and exciting activities.”