TWO Colchester town centre churches used for major concerts, civic funerals and services have been labelled “at risk” by English Heritage.

The conservation group today revealed St Botolph’s Church, a regular concert hall venue in Roman Road, and St Peter’s Church in North Hill, used for funerals of Colchester soldiers and remembrance events, are gradually decaying.

English Heritage has placed them both on its “at risk” register, intensifying calls for repairs to be carried out and making the “vulnerable historic gems” potentially eligible for repair funding.

The Revd Mark Wallace, town centre vicar for both churches, said he accepted St Peter’s Church required major work, but questioned why St Botolph’s had been included.

For the full report, see Thursday's Gazette