New challenge for church campaigners as they struggle to get insurance to step inside

St John's Church Preservation Group plans to reopen the listed building in Kates Hill, Dudley, which has been which has been empty for 14 years, for community use and worship.

But the group's bid has hit a fresh road bump as it is struggling to get insurance to enable the building to be opened up to supporters and workers.

It was hoped members would be able to begin restoration work after finally agreeing a lease for the building last month. They also wanted to open the former church up to visitors to raise awareness as the project got under way - although access was expected to be limited at first to a roped area inside the entrance.

But chairman Deb Brownlee said arranging an insurance policy was proving difficult possibly because of the building being empty and also because it would have multiple uses. At the moment only the churchwarden is allowed access to the building.

She described the struggle to secure insurance as 'a major worry' but said she remained confident they would be able to clear the latest hurdle.

The group is now getting advice from Stourbridge-based Insurance2day Insurance Services to help solve the problem.

Mrs Brownlee said: "We are possibly pushing the boat out a bit by trying to get the building insured for immediate public access, albeit limited to behind a roped area at the entrance, but that is why people have supported the campaign for nine years.

"They want to see inside, and we want them to see it, and then help us get the money together for the restoration work. After all the hoops we've had to jump through to get this far towards saving St John's, a bit of a blip over insurance is just one more hurdle, and although it is a major worry we have placed the matter with an insurance expert to assist us."

Members want to keep the building, which is described as 'a virtually intact Victorian church', as unaltered as possible, but will restore some of the old features.

They hope to develop it as a community hub, tourist centre with local history display area and cafe, and for Christian worship.

They also hope to eventually reinstall some of the historic items such as the windows, plaques, altar and worship artefacts, which were taken out of the church when it closed.

The items are currently in the care of the St John's congregation, which now meets elsewhere, but the preservation group hopes to bring them back to the church as and when they become available in future years.

The church is where bare-knuckle fighter William Perry, known as the Tipton Slasher, is buried. It first opened in 1840.

To offer help contact the group by email savestjohnschurch@hotmail.co.uk or by calling 0787 119 5042.