TWO churches in North Yorkshire, each with congregations of less than ten, are trying to raise thousands of pounds to carry out repairs.

About £85,000 has been put forward for the cost of work at St Mary's Church, Rievaulx, which dates back to the 13th Century.

English Heritage has offered a grant of £53,000 but local vicar, the Reverend David Wilbourne, said the tiny community was still left with a "mammoth fundraising challenge."

Meanwhile, at Kirby Grindalythe, near Malton, St Andrew's Parish Church has been awarded £159,000 by English Heritage towards repairing dangerous stonework on the Norman tower.

The church is now in a national competition in the Daily Telegraph as one of Sir John Betjeman's favourite British churches.

A vote is under way among six churches nationally, including St Andrew's, and the winner will receive financial help towards restoration costs, said churchwarden Christine Leeson.

"We often only have five attending the services but we are anxious to see the church restored," she said.