Repair bills could force hundreds of UK churches to close within five years

Two in five say their roof is at risk and one in three are using reserves for basics, National Churches Trust survey finds

Hundreds of Britain's churches may be forced to close in the next five years as the cost of maintaining heritage buildings becomes unmanageable, a conference at the V&A in London has heard.

Many of the UK's 20,000-plus listed places of worship contain important heritage treasures, such as stained glass windows, and monuments of historic significance. They are also hubs for community groups and social action projects.