Parishioners of All Saints Church, Laughton, are delighted English Heritage has approved the grant application. Chairman of All Saints Restoration Appeal, Lord Newton told the Express a total of 60,000 had already been raised within the village resulting in almost 170,000 which can be used to investigate work to be done and commission specialists. The ancient settlement of Laughton is home to the Grade I listed church which sits above a vault containing 31 coffins of members of the Pelham family including three Earls of Chichester and two prime ministers. The church and rectory were founded by wealthy baron Gilbert D'Aquila in 1229. All Saints was 'improved' by the Victorians in 1883 when the Georgian musicians' gallery, box pews and three-decker pulpit were removed, a stone roof slated and a new pipe organ installed. Specific projects planned to date include re-slating the nave, chancel and vestry, renewing lath and plaster ceilings, repairing stonework and re-pointing parts of the tower. Lord Newton hopes work will begin this summer.