The money is being provided to help safeguard the buildings against future deterioration and to repair any damage caused over the years.

Funding packages range from �10,000 for Southwark Roman Catholic Cathedral in London to �100,000 for Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire.

England has 61 cathedrals, 20 of which have qualified for the grants.

GRANTS AWARDED Bristol Cathedral : �21,000 Coventry Cathedral : �94,000 Durham Cathedral : �50,000 Exeter Cathedral : �32,000 Guildford Cathedral :�50,000 Hereford Cathedral : �100,000 Lincoln Cathedral : �100,000 Liverpool Roman Catholic Cathedral : �46,000 Liverpool Church of England Cathedral : �31,000 Newcastle Roman Catholic Cathedral : �16,000 Newcastle Church of England Cathedral : �17,000 Ripon Cathedral : �100,000 Salisbury Cathedral : �100,000 Sheffield Church of England Cathedral : �50,000 Southwark Roman Catholic Cathedral : �10,000 Southwark Church of England Cathedral : �21,000 Wakefield Cathedral : �14,000 Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral : �35,000 St George's Cathedral, Windsor : �60,000 Worcester Cathedral : �50,000

Work to be carried out includes re-leading windows and masonry conservation, which are essential to the long-term maintenance of buildings.

Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "Cathedrals form the architectural centrepiece of our ecclesiastical heritage and make an important economic and social contribution to the nation

"It is vital their futures are safeguarded and I am proud that even against the difficult backdrop of ever-decreasing government funds, English Heritage has renewed its financial commitment this year to these great buildings."

The details of the funding were officially announced at Coventry Cathedral on Thursday.

Richard Halsey, head of the cathedrals team at English Heritage, said: "I would like to congratulate the architects, contractors and craftsmen who work with us to achieve their projects against tight timetables and to such high standards."