A church that dates from the 11th century, can look to a brighter future after becoming the first to benefit from a new £1m support package for Kent’s churches.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Leybourne has been awarded a £169,000 grant towards repairs of the listed building under a partnership involving English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme, announced on Tuesday will see £1,177,000 awarded to 12 churches in Kent, with a total of £2.3m for 24 churches across the South East

Dr Andy Brown, the South East regional director of English Heritage, said: “It is a special pleasure to be able to help struggling congregations in this way so that our wonderful and diverse heritage of places of worship can be passed on to future generations of worshippers and visitors.

“At Leybourne, the church is at the heart of a growing community in a very literal way because the heart of Sir Roger de Leybourne himself is said to be kept in a stone casket in the nave.

“Its new roof is urgently needed and will mean that the church can remain open. I’m delighted to be the bringer of this good news today.”

St George’s Church, Wrotham, has also received a grant of £137,000.