Warwick District Council is set to grant £100,000 to the repair works at St Mary's Church.

The Old Square church, which needs to raise over £1.8million for its tower restoration project, is also set to receive £15,000 from Warwick Town Council.

The funding will come from WDC's community projects reserve and will be split over two years.

The council's cabinet unanimously supported the donation on Wednesday night having reviewed a business plan from volunteers at the church.

A WDC report said: "The contribution is only toward the heritage of the church and not to the running of it as a religious facility.

"Clearly construction costs are a challenge for all projects, but this council's exposure can be limited to the sum it is prepared to contribute only.

"It is suggested that a contribution of £100k over two years is meaningful and is of a similar scale as the contribution made toward the successful Lottery bid for the Lord Leycester Hospital."

The church was originally founded by Roger de Newburgh, the Earl of Warwick, in 1123 and will celebrate its 900th anniversary next year.

Fundraisers hope the essential works, which include repointing, pointing, repairing and replacing the eroded stonework, will be completed in time.

For more information on the fundraising follow this link to the Campaign 2023 website.