WORK is about to get under way to repair an historic church in South Craven.

More than £95,000 has been pledged for urgent roofing work to the tower at Holy Trinity Church, Cowling, under the Repair Grants for Listed Places of Worship Scheme.

The scheme, now in its third year, is administered by English Heritage, which awards and administers grants provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund for grade II listed properties.

Holy Trinity Church is a well-known landmark for thousands of walkers tackling the nearby Pennine Way.

But for years parishioners have waged a battle against dampness caused by the leaky tower, which has accelerated decay to the interior of the building, built in 1845 by RD Chantrell.

Now, thanks to local fundraising, a £24,000 heating system has been installed, paving the way for the current project to get under way.

The total cost of the work is estimated at £118,000, with the shortfall being met through additional fundraising.

The project will involve constructing a new timber roof deck above clock faces, dismantling and rebuilding parapets and pinnacles, recovering the lead roof, repointing buttresses and repairing knave roof timbers and rainwater goods.

Work will take about 16 weeks to complete and then the church will start on the next phase of seeking a grant to repair the roof above the knave.

Once the work is finished, it is hoped the village will make more use of the building.

Margaret Henley, treasurer of the Parochial Church Council and one of the fundraisers, said: "Many local shops have closed, but the church continues to provide a focal point for village life, so it's vital we look after it."