Repairing and maintaining Scotland's historic churches and places of worship often requires traditional skills and materials.

A new CD Rom produced by Historic Scotland will give advice on a range of building techniques to guide this vital work.

Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell joined church leaders earlier in the week to launch the new resource.

Speaking at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, on Tuesday, the Minister said: "In most communities across Scotland, church buildings and places of worship are likely to be amongst the oldest and most historic structures in the entire area - and often the best loved too.

"For that reason, and for reasons of faith, thousands of people and hundreds of groups devote their time and energies to making sure that they can continue to be used as special places, despite the difficulties of maintenance and stewardship which such activity entails.

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"This CD Rom brings together a whole range of advice that will provide invaluable support for these ambitious and challenging projects."

The guide has been produced in partnership with Church of Scotland, the Bishops' Conference of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church which is also providing a website www.maintainyourchurch.org that also offers guidance on various issues related to keeping churches in good condition.

The Archbishop of Glasgow, Archbishop Mario Conti, said: "This is an excellent initiative which will offer very useful, practical advice to clergy and congregations across the country, assisting them in preserving their church buildings, which are often of great distinction."

The Most Reverend David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said: "Our congregations take very seriously their responsibility to maintain historic buildings which are also living places of worship. We welcome this new resource as an encouragement and aid to our churches."

The INFORM Church CD looks at the best ways of dealing with damp, roof repairs, timber decay, ventilation, energy efficiency, masonry and pointing repairs in traditional buildings as well as the care of graveyards.

Anyone who would like a copy of the guide should contact Historic Scotland on: 0131 668 8638.

(GK/KMcA)