SALISBURY Diocese has offered an Amesbury church a loan of £50,000 to help with repairs to its roof, which is on the brink of collapse.

St Mary and St Melor Church, on Church Street, is in such a poor condition that the roof requires urgent repair work, as it is at a high risk of collapse.

Councillor Mark Verbinnen, who last week said the roof could collapse "literally any minute", has been leading a fundraising team for the last 18 months to try and save the roof.

The Archdeacon of Sarum has now met with the Church Wardens and Parish Priest at Amesbury Abbey and said that the Diocese is able to assist them with an immediate loan up to £50,000, which may encourage other charities they have not yet approached.

The Archdeacon also said that the Diocese would provide written support for the current grant applications.

He will also meet with an Architect and Structural Engineer to determine an interim phased remedial works to ensure the building is safe.

Having met with the Architect, Archdeacon Alan said he had agreed with her recommendations to the PCC.

St Mary and St Melor is a parish church, an independent charity, and is around 1,000 years old.

A statement from the Diocese of Salisbury added: "The Church of England is made up of more than 16,000 churches, with the vast majority being Grade 1 and 2 listed.

"As places of worship they are central to the life of their community.

"Churches are maintained by the generosity of their congregations and communities who do a wonderful job in caring for and funding them.

"The Church of England has no funds centrally to maintain and repair churches, nor does the Diocese have the funds to cover the cost of the restoration and renovation of the nearly 500 churches in our area.

"However, support and help is available for sourcing funds and grant applications.

"The PCC has been assured that, as part of the Diocese of Salisbury, the Abbey Church at Amesbury will be supported and advised in their effort to raise the finances necessary for the renewal of a wonderful building, an important part of an historic town."

So far on the JustGiving page, more than £160,000 has been raised towards a £350,000 target.