CRUMBLING St Thomas's Church in Stourbridge town centre has been awarded a stage one development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help finance urgent repairs to the building.

Decaying stonework currently blights the Grade I listed church in Market Street and was built back in 1736.

But funds are also required to provide a permanent access ramp, toilet facilities inside the church and a part glazed inner door to the south porch.

The church is now working towards a stage two lottery bid as total costs for the work are estimated to reach £226,630.

Churchwarden Wendy Hemming confirmed the secondary round bid would provide 68 per cent of the total project costs, while the remaining money would need to be obtained from other grant making bodies together with their own fundraising efforts.

She said: "Part of Heritage Lottery requirements means the work must be of benefit to the community and not to just the worshippers alone. Therefore we must make the church more accessible to people, which means opening more often.

"The initial stage one grant helps to pay for architects bills and the like, for which we are very grateful - but the fundraising never stops.

"We also need to restore the 12 stained glass windows, improve the organ and refurbish the bell tower, which would cost thousands on its own.

"But repairs to the stonework are a major priority as we don't want bits of masonry falling on people in the garden or while they're walking into church.

"We did have an inspection of the stonework in 2013 and any loose bits were knocked off at the time. But it will cost £150,000 plus VAT to repair the stonework completely."

St Thomas's hope to boost funds with their flower festival which runs from this Friday (July 3) until Monday July 6.

The event is set to be opened by Dudley Mayor - councillor Steve Waltho - and Stourbridge MP Margot James at 11am on Friday July 3.

The church expects to have in excess of 20 flower arrangements on view while entertainment will be provided by the U3A (University of the 3rd Age recorder group at 2.30pm, while Stourbridge Amateur Operatic Society's choir will be performing on Saturday July 4, also at 2.30pm.

Entrance to the flower festival costs £2 and includes a programme.