Grants for the repair of 165 Grade I and II* listed parish churches and other places of worship across England were announced by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund last month in the annual Places of Worship Grants allocation.

Among those buildings that will benefit is the Grade I listed St Barnabas Church in Pimlico, London. It receives a grant for urgent repairs to its spire, which suffered serious storm damage last year.

Other churches to benefit include the isolated and beautiful Romanesque style church of St Thomas in Staffordshire, which has been closed since 2003, and the imposing Minster and Parish Church of St George\'s in Doncaster, the masterpiece of celebrated 19th century architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. St George\'s receives the region\'s largest single grant for the restoration of its beautiful Foreman Chapel.

St Vincent de Paul RC Church in Liverpool, designed by Pugin, will also receive a grant for extensive repair and restoration work.