THOUSANDS of pounds have been donated to a £2m project to save one of Oxfordshire's most historic churches from falling into disrepair.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has earmarked £143,500 to help restore the roof of the 13th Century St Mary's Church, Church Green, in Witney.

This final phase of the project, expected to cost about £213,500 in total, will see urgent repairs being made to the Victorian roofs of the chancel and organ chamber, as well as repairs to guttering and drainage, and restoration work to masonry outside the building.

Witney parish rector Reverend Toby Wright said the "wonderful" grant would move St Mary's fundraising campaign forward significantly, with £60,000 now left to raise.

He added: "We have already raised £10,000 as a parish so I hope and trust that local people and grant-making trusts will get behind this campaign."

In 2000 the church team committed to transforming the entire Grade I-listed building, making it a key community venue in West Oxfordshire as well as a place of worship.

Throughout the past 15 years, more than £500,000 has been raised to weatherproof windows and all but one of the major roofs.

Heavyweight pews have been replaced with lightweight, flexible chairs and the ageing electronic organ has been transformed into an instrument fit for the large medieval church.

The Reverend is also asking anyone who can to sponsor a roof slate for £10 each so that the 4,000 slates can be repaired.

He said: "Once the building is rain-proof, we can then begin the larger task of restoring the church’s dark, water-stained interior fabric."

Work would include new lighting and modernising catering facilities.

MP for Witney and Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This well-loved church is a real focal point in the town and it’s so important we preserve and share its long and fascinating history.

"Benefitting from such funds is a big step in enabling the church to achieve this."

St Mary's Church is the oldest building in Witney and, as well as being a place of worship, is one of the largest public spaces in West Oxfordshire.

The building provides a focal point for the local community, hosting a wide range of community activities, such as the annual beer festival and the food and drink festival.

The church team hopes to finish this phase of the project by 2016, before starting on improving the inside of the church.