BRADFORD Cathedral is to receive £190,000 towards vital repair work from the First World War Centenary Cathedral fund, announced by the Government yesterday.

An initial £5million of funding will see 22 cathedrals across England benefit in the first round of grants, allowing work such as fixing leaking roofs, repairing stained glass, and replacing stonework to be carried out.

The aim of the programme is to prevent further deterioration to the historic buildings, keeping them safe and accessible to the public.

The grant provided to Bradford Cathedral will allow for urgent repairs to the roofs and timberwork to take place.

A total of £20 million was set aside by the Chancellor, George Osbourne, in the 2014 Budget, with the next round of funding allocations closing in September, and the final round closing in January 2015.

The Very Reverand Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford, said: "When the Chancellor announced in March that this pot of £20 million was available for cathedrals, we were keen to submit our application.

"We are now delighted to be in receipt of this grant of £190,000 for essential repairs.

"This grant will be used to undertake high level repairs to the roof and timberwork at the cathedral following the 2013 quinquennial inspection.

"Looking after ancient buildings is both a privilege and, at times, an expensive responsibility.

"Visitors to the cathedral will know that we care deeply for this medieval building and want to look after it as best we can.

"This grant solves our immediate repair bills on the cathedral building and we are hugely grateful."

The repair fund was set up in recognition of the powerful symbol cathedrals play in Britain’s history, as well as the significant role they will play when the nation comes together to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Sir Paul Ruddock, chairman of the fund's expert panel, and chairman of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, said he was "delighted" to be able to award the first round of grants.

“Spanning over 1,000 years of architectural history and housing many treasures, cathedrals are a hugely important part of England’s heritage," he said.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We are ensuring these magnificent buildings are preserved for future generations so they continue to serve their communities and congregations.

“This fund is just one part of the Government’s preparations to ensure the UK is ready to remember and mark the heroic sacrifice so many made a century ago.”