A FORMER church which has fallen victim to fly-tipping and vandalism has been named on of the country's most endangered buildings.

St Luke's on Old Liverpool Road in Sankey Bridges was built from 1892 to 93.

Today it has been included in the list of top 10 most endangered buildings in 2019 by the Victorian Society.

Christopher Costelloe, director of the Victorian Society, said: “This year’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings is a particularly rich mix, with buildings of amazing quality throughout the country facing demolition or ruin. It is vital that we get the public’s help to try to save our threatened heritage.”

Designed by the distinguished architect George Frederick Bodley, it was declared redundant more than 30 years ago and has served as builders’ storage. It is one of only three examples of churches designed by Bodley with a double nave under a single roof, separated by a tall, slender central arcade. It is extremely unorthodox and highly inventive.

Mr Costelloe added: ‘This is a really unusual church of great architectural interest, by one of the greatest architects of the period. It is far too good to be lost, and its importance lies predominantly in its interior, making subdivision impossible. Public bodies and Warrington Borough Council need to give serious thought on how to save this architectural jewel."

Warrington Guardian:

The building has a colourful recent history.

Last year, plans to turn it into a shop were refused by Warrington Borough Council.

On the decision notice documents, the council stated: "Although the proposed building work cause less than substantial harm to the heritage asset the scheme does not generate public benefits that outweigh the harm.

"The proposed use is not considered to be the optimum viable use for the building.

"The part demolition of the boundary wall to accommodate access to the site also does not represent the appropriate preservation of the heritage asset."

When plans were originally submitted, Jim Randle, from Randle White Architects, said: “The church has fallen into disrepair having been vacant for more than a decade.

“The listed building’s original use as a place of worship has long ceased and its grounds are now subjected to fly-tipping and vandalism.

“Without investment St Luke’s faces an uncertain future and requires the support of planners to be re-established as a true heritage asset.”

The application was brought by Zholia Alemi, a bogus doctor who hit the headlines last year.

New Zealander Alemi falsely claimed to have a medical degree from Auckland university when she registered in the UK in the 1995.

But she had actually dropped out of medical school in her first year and was jailed for fraud in October after she faked a dementia patient's will in an attempt to inherit her £1.3m estate.