An internationally renowned Droitwich church is celebrating after securing a National Lottery grant.

The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria has been awarded nearly £190,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This will contribute to a £260,000 project aimed at preserving the church's unique features.

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The church is famous for its Venetian glass mosaic artwork, which is considered amongst the finest in Europe.

Thousands of visitors from the UK and around the world flock to the church to admire the glass each year.

Built between 1919 and 1921, the church was modelled after the basilica churches of Ravenna, near Venice.

The mosaics, largely completed by 1932, received national acclaim at the time.

The grant will enable the church to clean and conserve the mosaics.

It will also allow for the digitisation of paintings by Gabriel Pippet, which were converted into mosaics by Maurice Josey and his assistant, Fred Oates.

A visitor programme is also being developed, which will include organised monthly tours, regular exhibitions, and mosaic workshops for children.

The church is open to visitors on weekdays from 10am to 6pm, and on weekends from 12pm to 5.30pm, unless services are in progress.

A spokesperson from the parish said: "We are extremely grateful to the National Lottery players for helping us to preserve this unique and magnificent church so that visitors can continue to enjoy its outstanding beauty."