Seven Shropshire churches on 'at-risk' register
Seven historic churches in Shropshire have been added to the "at risk" register, identified by English Heritage.
Four are Grade I, making them some of the most important buildings in the UK.
"The register is a comprehensive list of the churches really in need of immediate care," said Anni Holden, spokesperson for the Diocese of Hereford, the Church of England locally.
"It's not necessarily bad news if a church is on the register as it does tend to focus minds locally as well as those of the funders, other than English Heritage." The main structural problems for ancient church buildings are roofs and towers which, once leaking, cause more damage to fabric, she said.
The Church of St Michael in Munslow is categorised as in immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric.
The 12th century church has an assortment of significant building defects that include roof coverings, masonry walls, rainwater goods and subterranean drainage.
A repairs grant offered under the Repair Grants for Places of Worship Scheme has been accepted and work is due to start on site this year.
At Abbey Church of the Holy Cross, in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, parts of the chancel and transept parapets are in urgent need of repair and/or renewal and no solution has been agreed.
Work is urgently needed at the Church of St Peter, Wrockwardine, to address the time-expired plain clay tiled roof coverings, defective rainwater goods and assorted high level masonry repairs. Water is getting in through the roof of the church of St John the Baptist, Kenley, and the Church of St John the Baptist, Myndtown.
The Church of St Mark, Chirbury with Brompton the plain clay tile roofs require relaying. Sections of masonry have sheared off at the Church of St Peter, in Church Road, Oakengates. The vestry has settled and rotated away from the chancel wall and all of the roofs require relaying.
