YEARS of neglect have left Birmingham’s churches crumbling faster than anywhere else in the country, a report has revealed.

A survey of the city’s holy buildings has revealed that 28 per cent are at risk of falling into serious disrepair.

English Heritage said dwindling congregations were the main reason that church leaders had struggled to raise funds to meet spiralling repair bills.

But the conservation body has issued guidelines to worshippers to help to teach them how to preserve buildings for generations to come.

“Churches are all that some communities have left now that post offices and pubs have closed,” said Tim Johnston, English Heritage’s director for the West Midlands.

“There’s help out there but there’s also a lot that congregations can be doing to help preserve churches.

“We have found some buildings with serious damage to stonework just because gutters weren’t cleaned so we will be advocating the old adage about a stitch in time. It’s difficult to put a finger on why Birmingham has so many churches in the risk bracket.

“Dwindling attendance is one factor but it seems possible that other strands of Christianity have become more prevalent than those worshipped in the more traditional church buildings.”

Those in Birmingham which have been identified as “at risk” include St Edburgha’s in Yardley – the city’s second oldest church, dating back more than 800 years.

Church leaders have had to stop ringing bells for fear that the Grade I-listed spire could collapse and hope to start work next year.

The congregation at Assemblies of the First Born in Lozells Road, Lozells, also hope to move back in next year after eight years in temporary accommodation.

Mortuary Chapel, at Handsworth Cemetery, is still being used for services but is deemed at risk while its state is assessed.

St Barnabas Church, on Erdington High Street, is also on the list after being gutted by fire in 2007.

A planning application has been approved to create a modern structure alongside the existing remains of the 19th century church.

Singers Hill Synagogue, on Blucher Street, in Birmingham city centre, was yesterday given an award by English Heritage for conservation after worshippers raised thousands of pounds to preserve its unique features.