Gloucester Cathedral is one of 20 to benefit from grants

The money will be mainly used for roof and masonry repairs, and fire detection and prevention projects.

Five cathedrals will each receive the largest grant of �200,000, including Salisbury, Lincoln and Leicester.

"It is vital that these historic assets are maintained and their futures safeguarded," said Richard Halsey, head of English Heritage's cathedrals team.

GRANTS AWARDED Birmingham Roman Catholic Cathedral : �17,000 Bristol Cathedral: �9,000 Chelmsford Cathedral: �25,000 Coventry: �38,000 Gloucester Cathedral: �70,000 Durham: �82,000 Exeter:�21,000 Hereford: �118,000 Leicester:�200,000 Lincoln: �200,000 Liverpool Church of England Cathedral: �83,000 Newcastle Church of England Cathedral:�37,000 Norwich Church of England Cathedral: �161,000 Portsmouth Church of England Cathedral: �12,000 Ripon Cathedral: �149,000 Sheffield Church of England Cathedral: �69,000 Salisbury Cathedral: �200,000 Truro Cathedral: �200,000 St George's Chapel, Windsor: �200,000 Worcester: �99,000

He added: "Cathedrals form the architectural centrepiece of the historic cities which have grown up around them.

"They are important not only for their spiritual, architectural and historic interest but for their works of art and the fine craftsmanship they contain."

He described the cathedrals as "some of the most magnificent buildings in the country".

Since 1991 the cathedral grants scheme at English Heritage has offered �39.8 million for repairs to some of England's greatest buildings.