SALISBURY Cathedral has been given £485,000 towards repairs.

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, who recently visited Salisbury, announced on Thursday that cathedrals across England will receive almost £5m in total for urgent repairs in the first round of grants from the First World War Centenary Cathedral repair fund.

Salisbury MP John Glen said: “This is fantastic news for Salisbury Cathedral. The Secretary of State Sajid Javid’s recent visit to Salisbury clearly left an impression – the cathedral has secured £485,000 for external repair and conservation - the second highest amount of any award across the country.”

From Truro to Newcastle, 22 cathedrals across England will now be able to fix leaking roofs, repair stained glass, and replace stonework after being awarded grants from the fund.

The fund was announced in Budget 2014 and set up in April this year in recognition of the powerful symbol cathedrals are of Britain’s history as well as the significant role they will play when the nation comes together to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Mr Javid said: “We are ensuring these magnificent buildings are preserved for future generations so they continue to serve their communities and congregations.

“This fund is just one part of the Government’s preparations to ensure the UK is ready to remember and mark the heroic sacrifice so many made a century ago.”

Sir Paul Ruddock, chairman of the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund expert panel and of the Victoria & Albert Museum, said: “Spanning over 1,000 years of architectural history and housing many treasures, English cathedrals are a hugely important part of England’s heritage. I am delighted we are able to award grants to 22 cathedrals in the first round from the Government’s World War One Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund.”

Grants will allow cathedrals to undertake urgent repair work, including keeping the building wind-proof, weather-tight, safe and open to the public, and preventing further deterioration of the building.

This was the first round of funding allocations and will be followed by two more. The next round will close in September 2014 with the final round closing in January 2015.