Experts analyse the structural condition of St Chad's Church in Shrewsbury after cracks appear in building.

Expert Rob Elliott explained what they are hoping to identify: "We're just having a general survey on the materials, checking it's all secure, any leaks coming through the lead work, repointing, stonework."

It is estimated that almost £1m will need to be spent on restoration work at the church in the next 12 months. One third of that cost will be met by English Heritage, who describe the building as one of the most important Georgian churches in Europe.

The 218-year-old church was designed by George Steuart and replaced the Old St Chad's Church, which fell down in 1788, soon after Thomas Telford warned that it was in a dangerous condition.

Today's congregation will be hoping they can avoid a similar fate befalling the current St Chad's. The assessment taking place this week hopes to determine just how bad the damage is and how much it might cost to repair. The overall cost could rise to £2m over the next five years.