Urgent repairs to an historical city centre church can now be carried out thanks to a grant of £37,500 from the National Churches Trust.

St Patrick's in The Cowgate was awarded the amount after discovery of an unstable church wall and water penetratation, putting valuable heritage items at risk.

Fr Gerard Hatton, parish administrator, said: "We are deeply grateful for this vital support from the Pilgrim Trust and the National Churches Trust.

"The grant will help us repair the Memorial Room and the foundational East Wall.

“The Church is not only a sacred space but also home to the tomb of Venerable Margaret Sinclair and is visited by pilgrims across the world."

St Patrick's is not just an important local church, but one of national significance.

He added: "These much-needed structural repairs will help us secure the fabric of the building, preserve its rich history and can ensure as good custodians that our parishioners, pilgrims, and visitors from near and far continue to have a place of refuge, contemplation and solace for generations to come."

The Memorial Room was erected in 1921 in memory of the over 300 parishioners who died in the First World War.

It is a community space hosting a mother and toddler group, choir and organ practice, finance and debt advice meetings, and more.

Anne-Marie O’Hara, Scotland Support Officer at the National Churches Trust, said: “St Patrick's is not just an important local church, but one of national significance.

"Once the repairs have taken place, the church will be an even more welcoming space for the community to enjoy.

"We look forward to continuing to support St Patrick’s – and other churches, chapels and meeting houses and cathedrals across Scotland – to help keep them open and in good repair, now and in the future.”

The church shared in a £1 million pound urgent pay out from the National Churches Trust, designed to keep UK churches open and in use.

Find out more about the National Churches Trust here.