A £1.5million boost has helped to ensure Lichfield Cathedral is not in any immediate risk, according to the Dean of Lichfield.
The money was awarded as part of a £40million First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund launched in 2014.
It invited applications from cathedrals to address urgent repair work.
The money awarded to Lichfield has allowed for emergency rewiring and essential lighting improvements, as well as repairs to the cathedral’s unique medieval two-storey Chapter House, which dates from 1195.
The Dean of Lichfield, Adrian Dorber, said: “Prior to the work, Lichfield Cathedral was at a critical point. The electrics had degraded to the point where they were no longer safe, and the cathedral was beginning to struggle to function.
“This timely funding has not only reversed the immediate risks, but also given a boost for some of the funding to be matched locally, resulting in new lighting which greatly enhances the beauty of this building, as well as reducing our energy consumption.
“This all adds up to the First World War Centenary Repair Fund helping the cathedral to be a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors and worshippers, including those attending commemorations in the autumn, which has been very welcome.”
The fund had prioritised making buildings weatherproof, safe and open to the public as well as ensuring they would be in a safe condition to host acts of remembrance for the centenary of the First World War armistice in 2018.
During the four years of the centenary Lichfield Cathedral has hosted a series of First World War events including art exhibitions, music events and acts of worship. It has also commissioned a new icon and is currently running a year long programme of worship, art and music especially for the Armistice, called Imagine Peace.
Next month sees the launch of its Great Exhibition, at the heart of which is an immersive peace woodland created from 1,918 trees situated in front of the cathedral, which will then go on to become a permanent Peace Woodland in Beacon Park early next year.
