A DISAPPOINTED Dales congregation will have to put up with a leaking church roof for a while longer after their pleas for cash to mend it fell on deaf ears.

Members of St Mary the Virgin Church in Ingleton applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for help for the third year in succession - and for the third time they have been refused.

In the short term they have no choice but to continue the fundraising drive that has so far achieved £50,000 - far short of the £225,000-£250,000 estimated cost of a new roof.

The church's vicar, the Rev Charles Ellis, said that there was 'natural disappointment' among members of the congregation but that everyone was determined to carry on with efforts to raise the cash.

He said: "It takes quite a lot of time and people have worked very hard to prepare the bids, so it is disappointing to be knocked back three times.

"But the reality is that lottery officials decided there were other bids which needed cash more urgently than ours, so we just have to get on with it.

"I believe the fund is accepting applications twice a year, so we we will certainly be putting in another one in the spring."