Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough, has welcomed Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement of new funds to maintain and restore historic church buildings.

“George Osborne has released £15 million to help vulnerable listed churches repair their roofs and gutters. This money comes at a vital time when many churches are facing uphill battles in the fight to keep out the elements.”

“Here in our part of Lincolnshire, the ancient and venerable minster church at Stow was damaged in a storm earlier this year, so I’ve written to the Rural Dean to let him know about this new funding to see if it might be applicable.”

A keen enthusiast of historic church buildings, Sir Edward wrote a diary of the country churches he visited around the Gainsborough constituency during his 2010 election campaign.