A Bromsgrove community group has been awarded more than £200,000 to help restore Worcestershire's tallest spire. 

The team at Friends of St John's Church are celebrating after receiving £249,975 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in support of the St John's Spire Appeal. 

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the heritage project aims to repair and replace the top of the spire at the town's landmark ancient church in the hope of engaging more people in the history of Bromsgrove's oldest building. 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Hilda and Sheila from St John's Church Hilda and Sheila from St John's Church (Image: Friends of St John's)

Chairman of Friends of St John's, Jo Slade, said: "It’s definitely a happy new year for the team at St John’s. We are really thrilled to have received this support from the Heritage Fund and our thanks go to all National Lottery players.

"We are excited to be able to make a start on the project now that this significant amount of funding has been secured." 

The appeal was launched after St John's Church was placed on Historic England's 'At Risk Register' due to the problems with the church spire. 

This included that the internal, metal stabilising rod began rusting causing the surrounding stonework to crack. 

Steel straps were placed around the top section of the spire and the appeal was launched to fundraise for the necessary repairs.

With almost one thousand years of history captured within the walls of the building, and with St John’s the largest place for the community to gather in Bromsgrove, the restoration and repair of the building are of great importance to the town. 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: St John's Church St John's Church (Image: Friends of St John's)

Ms Slade added: "The next steps for the team will be reaching out to other local and national funders to secure the funding needed to reach our £360,000 target, in the hope that the repair works can take place later this year.

"Running alongside the repair works will be a series of engagement projects. Residents and visitors will be encouraged to get involved, learn about the heritage at St John’s and have a go at some traditional craft skills.”

To get involved or make a donation contact the team via email at friends.stjohns.church@gmail.com or follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove