A church in Shrewsbury has been given a £246,883 grant to conserve the church's "renowned" stained glass. 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund will finance the conservation of St Mary's 12 stained glass windows, internationally recognised for having continental glass spanning the 14th to the 19th centuries.

While the church no longer holds services, it is used to host events and exhibitions.

The Grade I listed building is managed by The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).  The organisation said the work on the windows is needed "due to the age of the windows and the effects of weathering". 

CCT also said the money will help repair some other windows which have been vandalised. 

Local community officer at the CCT said: "All those associated with St Mary's are thrilled to have received this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

"It will allow us to repair serious damage to pieces of the stained glass, due to localised heritage crime, and to preserve the exceptional glass collection, considered to be in the top five in the country, for future generations to enjoy."

Money from the grant will also be used to put together a programme focusing on the crafts and history of St Mary's, as well as funding a project officer, who will be recruited to deliver the project, with the support of St Mary's volunteer team and the existing staff team.