AN HISTORIC Oxenhope church with links to the Bronte family will share in a £550,000 funding payout from the National Churches Trust to 30 churches and chapels in the UK The funding from the National Churches Trust includes £15,000 for Oxenhope’s St Mary the Virgin Church.

Custodians of the Grade II-listed building, in Hebden Road, will use the cash to help fund urgently-needed repairs to the church tower as part of a £120,000 project.

St Mary’s Oxenhope priest Reverend Nigel Wright said: “I’m absolutely delighted.”