A STOURBRIDGE congregation are keeping their spirits high as they look hopeful to receive a £65,000 grant for repair work.

St Thomas's Church in Market Street has applied three times to the English Heritage fund for help towards the costs of work needed to their roof.

The church roof is in need of repair as the south side is badly damaged and leaking quite badly and the interior is suffering as a result.

The English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery fund joined together to launch Repair for Places of Worship' to provide funding for churches which need urgent repairs.

Grade one and two listed places of worship all over England are entitled to apply.

St Thomas's Church submitted an application to English Heritage, which has offered to help towards the £190,000 needed.

Rev Ron Curtis said: "English Heritage have agreed the cost in principal, they have to agree with the decision for the work that has got to be done."

The agreement in principal is for £65,000 but the church still has to find the rest of the money needed for the repairs.

Rev Curtis added: "We have had some donations from many people who have generously given but we still have more funds to raise."