SIX Craven churches have landed a share of almost half-a-million pounds to make the buildings weather tight.

For the small congregation at Holy Trinity in Cowling, the news that it will get £77,700 is a great relief after the building has twice been targeted by lead thieves.

Churchwarden Brian Ridehalgh said: "We had the lead stolen from the roof in 2011 only two years after we had repaired it following a previous theft.

"It's something of a miracle we have been able to keep the water out for so long and preserve the interior."

And churchgoers at All Saints' in Burton-in-Lonsdale are "ecstatic" about the £100,000 they have received to repair the spire on their famous church.

Laurence Binyon, who wrote the poem For the Fallen about the men who fell in World War One, was baptised in the old chapel before the new church was constructed.

Ann Whitworth said: "The money will be spent on replacing the wooden 'shingle' tiles on the spire, many which have been lost allowing water into the bell ringing chamber."

St Michael the Archangel Church, Kirkby Malham - known as the Cathedral of the Dales - is set to receive £58,500 towards a £142,000 replacement roof.

However, work cannot start until the autumn after an ecological survey revealed the existence of bats in the grade one listed church.

Once the roof has been replaced, the parochial church council is planning further fundraising to improve external drainage and the heating system to reduce condensation and to upgrade the lighting.

The vicar, the Rev Michael Jackson, said: "We are delighted to have received this Government grant and are very grateful also to all those trusts who have already pledged support for this project and to the many people who have supported our fundraising. This now allows us to replace the roof and make the building weather tight.

"It is the first and vital phase in a programme of ongoing works which we are planning to make our magnificent building secure for the future and able to serve the next generation just as it has served Malhamdale for so many centuries past."

Another beneficiary is St Peter's, Rylstone, which will receive £79,700.

Rector, the Rev David Macha, said: "After a rigorous application procedure, the church and local community are very pleased that St Peter's has secured a grant of nearly £80,000 to address urgent roof repairs and ensure the church remains weathertight and open for the whole community.

"This award is the result of a real joint effort. It is a real testament to the hard work and commitment of local folk and the really valuable help and engagement of Masters students, of different faiths, from the Project Management Department of Leeds Beckett University who volunteered their expertise and time. We are very grateful."

Other grants were £41,900 for Holy Trinity Parish Church in Skipton and £16,900 for St Peter's in Hebden.

The Listed Places of Worship Fund was launched by the Chancellor in his Autumn statement in December 2014 with a UK-wide budget of £15 million. In his 2015 Budget speech the Chancellor announced a further commitment of £40 million to the fund.