A 12th-century church in Flamstead has received a donation to help save its leaking roof and valuable wall paintings.

The Beds and Herts Churches Trust and the Harpenden Freemasons Lodge chipped in to help protect the medieval church, with the Lodge also directly giving money to the Trust on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire to support other heritage churches in the area.

St Leonard’s fundraising coordinator Andrew Lambourne said: “We’ve committed to raise £250K of matched funding as part of our bid to Heritage Lottery for this million-pound project. Local people have been really generous, but the support of local organisations is a huge encouragement, and is very gratefully received.

“In return, we want to give back to the local community by opening up the church as a venue for everyone in the run-up to celebrating 900 years since the start of construction.”