FUNDRAISERS are celebrating after landing a £118,000 grant for their church.

The award by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund will allow repairs to begin next year at All Hallows Church, Kirkburton.

An appeal by the congregation had already raised almost £60,000 towards the work needed.

Appeal chairman Norman Berry said: "This is second time lucky for us after hearing on my birthday in December 2003 that three other churches in West Yorkshire would get money instead of us.

"It's absolutely fantastic news. I don't know what we would have done if we had not got it."

Extensive work is needed on the tower, roof and masonry of the 13th century church.

Mr Berry said: "It's going to be a long process because of the preliminaries that are needed - so I don't expect work to begin until spring 2006."

All Hallows is one of three churches in West Yorkshire to benefit in the latest round of grants. It brings cash awarded in Yorkshire in the last three years to £5.6m to help repair 46 places of worship.

David Fraser, English Heritage regional director, said: "The positive impact of this scheme on the region's most important religious buildings can't be underestimated.

"Congregations face huge challenges maintaining such places and in the past have often struggled to find resources to keep on top of essential repairs."