A bible-reading marathon was held in Brantham, Suffolk, a year ago

Forty-six churches in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk are to benefit from the cash from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The grants - ranging from £17,000 to £225,000 - will go towards repairs to the churches, which are all Grade I or Grade II* listed.

Richard Halsey of English Heritage said: "These magnificent buildings remain loved and cherished landmarks in their local communities.

"Our grants will help congregations to safeguard the future of the region's precious architectural heritage."

Urgent roof repairs

The biggest winner is St Michael's Church in Beccles, Suffolk, which has been offered £225,000.

St Michael's and All Angels in Brantham, Suffolk, whose vicar last April held a marathon bible-reading session to raise money for repairs, got a grant of £23,000.

Other churches to benefit include St Nicholas in Harwich, Essex, which will get £130,000 for urgent repairs to the nave and chancel parapets, pinncales and buttresses.

All Saints Church in Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, will get £48,000 towards repairs to its 15th-century roof.