Three cathedrals in the east of England have been given English Heritage repair grants totalling �149,000.

Peterborough Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, badly damaged in an apparent arson attack in November 2001, will receive grants worth �61,000 towards fire safety improvements.

In Norwich, the Church of England Cathedral will get up to �60,000 to repair and re-lead a cloister roof.

And the city's Roman Catholic Cathedral is to be given �29,000 towards safety improvements.

Richard Halsey of English Heritage said: "Cathedrals form the architectural centrepiece of the historic cities which have grown up around them.

"It is vital that our historic assets are maintained and their futures safeguarded."