大象传媒

A church in north Dorset needs to raise 拢47,000 to save it's roof after insurers refused to pay out, on grounds the damage was caused by general wear and tear.

Now St Mary the Virgin church in Glanvilles Wooton has launched a Just Giving campaign to foot the bill.

The damage happened in gale force winds but insurers said there was an underlying issue that weakened the roof.

A spokesperson for Ecclesiastical Insurance said:

"We understand that this is disappointing for the customer", adding "an expert inspection confirmed the roof collapsed due to the gradual deterioration of the fixings securing the stone slates... Unfortunately, failures of this nature are specifically excluded by the policy."

Our reporter, George Sharpe, visited the church to speak to villagers behind the campaign.