Chichester cathedral will receive a share of a multimillion-pound pot to help fund urgent repairs.

Culture secretary Sajid Javid announced today that Chichester will be benefit from some £5 million for repairs in the first round of grants from the First World War Centenary Cathedral repair fund.

It will receive £140,000 to replace the roof of the north west tower, home to the sailor’s chapel. The cathedral joins 21 of its counterparts across England that will now be able to fix leaking roofs, repair stained glass and replace stonework.

The fund was announced in the 2014 budget in recognition of the “powerful symbol” our cathedrals are of Britain’s shared history.

Mr Javid said: “We are ensuring these magnificent buildings are preserved for future generations so they continue to serve their communities and congregations.

“This fund is just one part of the Government’s preparations to ensure the UK is ready to remember and mark the heroic sacrifice so many made a century ago.”