So far, £600,000 has been pledged to the Joint Cathedral Fabric Repair Fund by the Wolfson Foundation and the Pilgrim Trust, both of which have supported historic church buildings in the past.

The independent grant-makers have formed the fund together with the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE) to provide essential and strategic funding to help maintain England's ancient cathedrals.

Janet Gough, Director, Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division, Archbishops' Council, said: “With English Heritage having to apply its limited grants elsewhere, we are thrilled that the Joint Cathedral Fabric Repair Fund has been launched.

“The 2010 pilot of the fund’s scheme was hugely over-subscribed.

"Cathedrals are some of our most important and best loved buildings and we face an uphill struggle to keep these buildings safe for future generations.”

Mrs Gough said the CFCE would be approaching other funders to invite them to contribute to the fund "as we know the need is so great".

The Church of England is responsible for 45 per cent of England’s Grade I listed buildings and cathedrals, which cost millions of pounds each year to maintain, receive no direct government funding.

The fund is open to cathedrals needing to undertake major repairs to historic fabric, such as stonework or roofs, and participating cathedrals must match funding.

Mrs Gough added: “We hope this is just the start of a successful partnership and that the fund will grow with others joining in. We want to make a real impact on the essential repairs that these marvellous buildings need to survive."