A grade II listed Leek church will soon be made more accessible and wheelchair-friendly after a new ramped entrance was approved by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The plans relate to St Edward's Church on Church Street in Leek, with the proposal seeking permission to create a new ramped flagstone pavement entrance to replace the steps that are currently there.

A heritage statement prepared as part of the application provided plenty of interesting information about the history of the church.

It explained that the church dates back as far as 1297 and was modified many times over the following centuries.

Explaining the details of the proposal, it added: "It is proposed to create a level and accessible entrance to the South Porch of the Church, which comprises, inserting 2no. additional new stone steps at the head of the existing stepped access off Church Street and to alter and raise the existing Yorkstone paved pathway to create a level access into the Church.

"The survival of most historic buildings depends upon their continued, viable use. Providing easy access into St Edward's Church will allow everyone to enjoy inclusive access into the historic environment. Removing the barriers to access can allow many more people to use and benefit from the building, and if done sensitively will not compromise the ability of future generations to do the same."

The plans were approved in a report by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning officers this week.