LOTTERY funding of more than £104,000 has been announced for Rawdon's historic parish church.

St Peter’s has received the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve the Grade II listed building.

Repairs to the tower, roof and gable ends will take place to stop the rain water leaking in and further destroying the stonework.

The tower repair project will carry out essential conservation work and will include a visual educational programme for five to 11-year-olds. Funding will also pay for an audio resource in the church for visitors to learn about of the history of the village.

It will feature historical figures associated with Rawdon, such as Frances Layton, Master of the Jewel House for both King Charles I and King Charles II and benefactor for the building of St Peter’s Church. There will also be information about Charlotte Bronte, who is thought to have attended services when she worked as governess to John White, a wealthy cloth manufacturer, who installed the stained glass window in the east sanctuary. Anglo Saxon landowners identified in the Doomsday Book will also feature in the audio resource.

Their lives will be used to tell the history of Rawdon and look at historical events that impacted on the community, such as the Norman Conquest.

The work is being carried out under the watchful eye of Dr Rosemary Mitchell and Dr Janet Kelly, from Leeds Trinity University, along with three groups of students who undertook local history projects based in Rawdon last summer. Their findings will appear in the visual and sound presentation accompanying the guidebook.

Bob Graham, one of the churchwardens and patrons, said: "This project is the first in the church's 300-year history that combines so many historical facts about the village in one place.

"It is also important to thank St Peter’s congregation and local infant schools, together with Di Oldam and the Rawdon community, for their fundraising. Without their efforts and encouragement, this historically important work would not have been possible."

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and Humber, said; "There is a place of worship in almost every ward, village and town across the Yorkshire and Humber region, providing a very powerful visual connection with our past. This grant will not only secure the immediate future of this historic building, but will enable the community and visitors to get involved and learn about the history of the local area."

The 17th Century church, which is on Historic England's list of 'at risk' sites, was awarded initial lottery development funding of £14,560 last year.