Four churches have been shortlisted for one of the new English Heritage Angel Awards.

The awards are co-funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and take place on October 31 at the Palace Theatre in London.

Nominated in the 'Best Rescue of a Place of Worship' category are the Church of St Peter, in Shackerstone, Leicestershire; the Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd, in Woodthorpe, Nottinghamshire; St James Priory Church, in Horsefair, Bristol; the Former Church of St Margaret of Antioch, in Leeds.

Representatives of the churches will be at the awards evening in October when the winners will announced.

More than 200 applications were submitted for the prizes following the launch of the competition in June by Mr Lloyd Webber.

Other categories include 'Best Rescue of an Industrial Building or Site' and 'Best Craftsmanship Employed on a Heritage Rescue'. Only one nominee in each of the categories will win the prize.

English Heritage said judges were looking for passion, perseverance and imagination, and would consider the scale of the challenge and how well it had been tackled.

In addition to Mr Lloyd Webber, the panel of judges consists of English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley, author and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, The Telegraph's Charles Moore, historian Bettany Hughes and the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres.

The candidates will meet Andrew Lloyd Webber and the other judges at a private reception at the theatre before the awards ceremony itself takes place in front of an audience of celebrities and heritage supporters.

Awards host, TV presenter Clare Balding said: "I was thrilled when Andrew asked me to present the inaugural Heritage Angels Awards. Having grown up in a racing yard that was built in 1879, I have a strong appreciation for buildings that combine heritage and practical use.

"Through working on 'Britain's Hidden Heritage' for BBC1, I have seen the hard work and thoughtfulness that goes into restoring a building while retaining its essential magic.

"I am delighted to be involved in recognising those who have breathed new life into all sorts of historic sites and hope that it will encourage others to do the same."