The vicar of one of Bradford's oldest churches is celebrating again after scooping another grant to restore the historic building.

The Reverend Kevin Tromans has been awarded a £5,000 Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust grant for work at St John the Evangelist church in Bierley.

The building, which is one of the few 18th century churches in Yorkshire, was found to be in desperate need of repairs after its heavy roof started to sag in 2000.

Masonry was also crumbling and the drainage system was revealed to be inadequate after an inspection was carried out at the Grade II* listed building on the corner of Rooley Lane and Bierley Lane.

Churchgoers feared the building would close unless vital cash was found to save the structure.

And today Mr Tromans said he was delighted more cash was found to help revamp the stone building, which is the second oldest Anglican church in the diocese after Bradford Cathedral.

"It's great news," he said.

"We are still in the process of completing an architectural survey before we can draw up any tendering specifications and then we'll see how much the work will cost.

"We have applied for other grants and every little bit really does help."

In February the Telegraph & Argus reported how the church was given a £170,000 English Heritage grant towards the restoration scheme.

But Mr Tromans said daily vandalism and litter louts also marred the church's appearance.

"Every day there's some new graffiti or rubbish dumped in the graveyard and it's very disappointing and disrespectful especially when so many people are doing all they can to help improve the building," he said.

Churchgoers have also arranged a number of fundraising events including a concert by Thornton Vocal Union at the church on Wednesday, May 5, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £3.50 and are available on the door.

And on Saturday, May 1, families will be dressing up and decorating their bicycles and buggies for a fundraising walk around the parish.

They will start at the church at 11am and walk down Tong Street, Dawson Lane and Ferrand Avenue, collecting donations in buckets along the way.