£15 million Lottery boost for St Martin-in-the-Fields revamp

Almost £15 million of Lottery funding has been awarded to help refurbish St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square.

The church, the most visited in Britain, is to undergo a major improvement and extension project, under the patronage of the Prince of Wales.

To date, about £7 million has been raised for the scheme. Today's funding brings the total to £22 million. However, another ?12 million is still needed if the project is to be completed.

The improvement and extension project will involve restoring the church as well as creating new space for its social care programme.

Liz Forgan of the Heritage Lottery Fund said: "Once restoration work is completed, the church will provide first-class new facilities which will make a huge difference to people's lives - exactly what Lottery money should be doing."