TWO historic churches are to share in a £550,000 funding payout from the National Churches Trust

St Joseph's RC Church in Blantyre will get £40,000 to help fund urgent repairs including re-slating of all roofs, renewing leadwork, restoring stained and leaded glass windows and minor stone and pointing repairs.

St Mary the Virgin in Hamilton will receive £15,000 to help fund a project to provide an extension with a kitchen, meeting space, cafe area, disabled access and toilets.

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, vice president of the National Churches Trust, said: "Churches, chapels and meeting houses are a unique part of our national story. But many of these beautiful buildings are under threat from crumbling stonework, leaking roofs and rotting timbers. Others are in desperate need of modern facilities such as toilets and kitchens so that they can better serve local communities."