A CHURCH in Hanworth, built over 1,000 years ago, has been given a grant by English Heritage as part of its Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme, but £40,000 is still needed for vital drainage work.

St Georges in Elmwood Avenue, built from Saxon stones from the first millennium, has been given £57,000 by the lottery fund. Reverend Paul Williamson says the money will go towards installing drains around the church in a £107,000 project.

With £10,000 already donated from the Arch Deacon of Middlesex, he said the rest of the money would have to be acquired through fund raising activities.

We have a lot of problems draining the water away around the church,'' he told the Times.

Philip Davies, English Heritage Regional Director for London, speaking after the announcement of £2.3 million of grants in total for London, said the money would safeguard national treasures: For at least a thousand years, churches have been the nation's spiritual treasure house and remain loved and cherished landmarks in their local communities.

These magnificent buildings have suffered from the wear and tear of time and weather and essential structural repairs are urgently needed. Our grants will help maintain London's churches as a focus for social activity and safeguard the future of the capital's precious religious architectural heritage.''

Sue Bowers, Heritage Lottery Fund Regional Manager for London, added: The wealth of England's historic places of worship is something we can all take pride in. This major investment and increased commitment of Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage money will help safeguard these amazing buildings for the future benefit of communities across London.''

May 30, 2003 12:00