One of the country's biggest churches considered to be 'at risk' will be given £584,000 to fix its severely damaged roof.

The Grade I listed All Saints in Mill Street, Maidstone, is hoping the National Churches Trust money will remove it from Historic England's ‘Heritage at Risk’ register.

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said: "The funding will safeguard unique local heritage and help keep the church open and in use for the benefit of local people.”

All Saints is one of the largest parish churches in England and as well as being a centre for Christian worship it also hosts many town, county and community events.

The church is medieval and was built at the end of the 14th Century by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, William Courtenay.

It sits within a very large medieval complex called the All Saints Conservation Area, in the town centre.

All Saints contains many memorials, including to the Woodville, ancestors of Henry VIII; Archbishop Courtenay; and John Wooton, whose tomb includes well-preserved original medieval paintings.

Another memorial is to Lawrence Washington, an ancestor of George Washington. The Washington family crest shows the stars and stripes pattern now seen on the American flag.

The church's Victorian lead roof has been leaking badly and damaging stonework and timbers.

The project aims to remove the damaged materials, replace them and lay new lead on the roof surface.

The National Churches Grant will enable the first phase of a three stage project to restore the whole nave roof.

This first phase will cost £500,000, with the church also being financially supported by Friends of Kent Churches, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Culture Recovery Fund and several smaller charities, as well as many donations from private individuals.

Church warden Robert Philo said: “We are very grateful for the support we have received from the National Churches Trust, other grant-bestowing organisations and the general public for this work which is so critical to securing the future of this wonderful building as a reminder of the presence of God in our world and as a vital community asset.

"As we emerge from the post-pandemic lockdown, we hope for a new and vibrant future for the church.”

The church has remained open for worship, weddings, funerals, baptisms and booked events, but is closed to the general public for safety reasons while the contractors are on site.

New events and activities with schools and local groups are being planned as well as celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee later this year.