A RYEDALE church is celebrating after being awarded a share of £47,000 for urgent repairs.

The money from Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) will be split between 16 churches for essential repairs, conservation and maintenance works.

Churches receiving funds include the Grade II listed Slingsby Methodist Church, which was recently placed on the At Risk Register by Historic England. The church is in need of a number of repairs, including re-roofing of the main chapel and porch.

YHCT Trustees awarded a grant of £4,000, which along with other grants applied for, will ensure the repairs can be undertaken before the onset of winter weather.

Stephen Prest, church steward, said: “The chapel is a hub of community life and we are delighted to have received this funding from the YHCT.

"It will help ensure we are able to carry out the essential repairs to the building and be ready to offer a full range of activities for the local community when it is safe to do so.”

Tom Ramsden, chairman YHCT, said: “We were delighted to award funding to Slingsby Methodist Church to help ensure the vital roof repairs can be undertaken.”