THE priest of a Bromsgrove church has welcomed its inclusion on a list of historic sites ‘at risk’ as they continue to seek funds to enable vital £150,000 repair work.

St Michael Church in Stoke Prior has been added to Historic England’s annual Risk Register, published in October, which aims to bring attention to sites that are at risk of being lost.

The Hanbury Road church – a Grade 1 listed building which is believed to have been built from 1140 – is seeking at least £150,000 to repair its tower, while other work is also needed.

And Revd Wyn Beynon, priest at the church, hopes its inclusion on the Risk Register will boost their chances of applying for vital funding to secure its future in the community.

He said: "It is great news we are on the Risk Register. It is not a criticism but a recognition that the task we have is out of proportion to the size of the community.

"That will help us get funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, but we still need donations.

"People have been wonderfully generous but we're glad to accept more.

"We need at least £150,000 to repair the tower.

"We also need to install disabled access and improve the paths and make the space at the bottom of the tower into a separate chapel and meeting space.

"We have a brilliant Friends of the Tower group who all want the building to be available to everyone – whatever their beliefs – for this and future generations.

"They are a fantastic bunch and have raised over £23,000 just this year with all sorts of events from Line Dancing to Henry Sandon of Antiques Roadshow fame visiting.

"We also had the most amazing Summer Ball when we turned the church into a ball room, restaurant and venue for a great rock band."

Although there are fewer entries on the 2016 Register (5,341) compared to 2015 (5,478), the cost of repair compared to a sites’ end value has increased to an average of £652,000.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: "Owners and developers are now facing a larger gap between the cost of repairs and the end value of their property.

"Reasons include skill shortages in key professions and trades in our sector, and in some cases, even the supply of scaffolding.

"These obstacles can be overcome, especially with funding from us, Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural England, but we face a significant challenge in saving these sites for future generations.

"Historic England will continue to provide grants and dedicate time and expertise to working with owners, developers and communities to rescue precious buildings and places so people can continue to enjoy them and the stories they tell about our past."

Anyone wishing to donate to the church can send cheques to "The United Parish PCC (Stoke Prior Tower)" to The Rectory, Fish House Lane, Stoke Prior B60 4JT.