A BROCKMOOR church has received £176,000 to carry out vital repairs and improvements.

The cash was given to St John’s Church by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will allow for the roof, brickwork and stonework to be repaired.

Funds will also be used to upgrade the kitchen, improve access to the building and attract more visitors to the Grade II listed church in High Street.

Rev Simon Archer said: “Everyone here is delighted with the wonderful news that the Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting this essential work.

"Thanks to National Lottery players we can now restore the parts of the building that have caused problems with damp.

"We will be able to preserve this building for future generations and enable more people to learn more about its history in the community and its distinctive architecture.’’

Vanessa Harbar, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, added: “We have been delighted to support St John’s to carry out urgent repairs and engage new audiences with this much-loved local landmark.”