Cut-priced servicing for churches

The aim is to pick up maintenance issues before they are a problem

Gloucestershire's Anglican churches are to get help with their upkeep after a survey revealed that a quarter were not being maintained regularly.

The Maintain Our Heritage group plans to set up cut-price servicing for the county's 144 churches to complement their usual five-yearly inspections.

The service includes cleaning gutters, rodding drains, pruning overhanging vegetation and some roof repairs.

The aim is to pick up maintenance issues before they become a problem.

Places of worship will be expected to pay about £150 for the maintenance inspection, the cost being heavily subsided by English Heritage.

If the scheme is successful, it will be rolled out to churches around the country.

Endangered buildings

Timothy Cantell, from Maintain Our Heritage, said: "The study of Gloucestershire churches has highlighted how endangered our historic buildings are.

"We need to look after them now, not when they're falling down and need to launch appeals.

"Places of worship in particular have scarce resources, but a small amount of spending on maintenance now will reduce long-term costs."

The business plan was sponsored by Gloucester-based insurance company, Ecclesiastical.

Chief surveyor Ian Wainwright said: "These churches are at the centres of communities and supported tirelessly by local people.

"But they often need help and professional expertise to make sure the buildings are properly maintained for generations to come."