A CHURCH near Andover has received a share of half a million pounds to fund repairs.

The Grade II listed St Peter-in-the-Wood church, in Appleshaw, is one of 63 churches and chapels across the UK to receive money from the National Churches Trust (NCT).

They will be granted £10,000 from the fund for work to repair rainwater goods, as well as the installation of a toilet and servery.

The NCT say that this will help "make the church a community hub".

Huw Edwards, broadcaster and journalist who is also Vice President of the NCT, said: “The UK's historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage.

"But to survive, many need to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities. "The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves.”

“I’m delighted that the St Peter-in-the-Wood church, Appleshaw, is being helped with a £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant.

"The work on the rainwater goods, and the installation of a toilet and servery will help secure the future of this historic building and ensure it can continue to serve the local community.”

The NCT distributed over £1.2 million in 2019 to help churches and chapels, on things such as urgent repairs as well as maintenance works.