HISTORIC places of worship are to have millions of pounds invested in them to stop their deterioration.

A nationwide campaign was launched at Middlesbrough's St Columba's Church to highlight the £118m shortfall in the annual repair bill for England's listed places of worship.

Inspired!, an English Heritage scheme, has access to £40m to help restore churches that are falling into disrepair.

St Columba's Church, built in 1902, was designed by acclaimed architect Temple Moore and resembles a dove - the symbol of St Columba - when viewed from above.

The grade II-listed building has been granted £163,000 by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund for maintenance.

The cash will pay for repairs to the roof and tower of the church in Wilson Street, Middlesbrough.

Kate Wilson, of English Heritage, said: "Churches are a fundamental part of our heritage in this country. A lot of people take them for granted, but they would be missed if all the spires and bells disappeared from the landscape."

The other churches in the North-East to benefit from the grant scheme are Holy Trinity, in Wingate, County Durham, St Luke's, in Pallion, Sunderland and St John The Evangelist, in Seaham, County Durham.

Holy Trinity, built in 1841, has been awarded £93,000 to pay for repointing work inside and out using traditional lime-based mortar to prevent further damage to the stonework.

At St Luke's, £83,000 will be spent on arresting the decline of the church, which was built by public subscription in 1872.

The badly-leaking roof of St John The Evangelist will be repaired with a grant of £44,000. The congregation has already raised £250,000 to repair the tower bells, clocks and to redecorate.

In North Yorkshire, the biggest beneficiary is the St Lawrence's, in York, which will get £147,000 towards a major conservation and repair programme.

The 13th-century St Mary's, at Rievaulx, near Helmsley, will get £53,000 for repairs to the chancel, nave and vestry and repointing of high-level masonry.