The owners of a derelict former church that has been crumbling for decades have been ordered to make repairs.

An urgent works notice has been served by Perth and Kinross Council on Arengate Ltd, the owners of St Paul's Church on South Methven Street, Perth.

The B-listed building is deemed to be "at risk" and in need of urgent repairs to prevent it falling any further into decay.

It was one of the first churches to be built in Perth after the Reformation, having been constructed in 1807.

Work to be carried out includes securing stonework especially the overhanging turrets, which may pose a risk to pedestrians walking underneath.

Roof repairs are also called for to make the building watertight. The council says the rainwater disposal systems have been failing for 25 years.

There is also a risk of falling plasterwork and door lintels that have rotted over the years, while dry rot attacks have made some of the upper parts of the gallery unsafe.

Some structural beams are rotten, along with the steeple floor and stairs. The church has also been subject to vandalism.

In addition, the urgent culling of pigeons and cleaning up of their toxic dung has also been ordered by the council.

The notice states the council considers it expedient to issue the notice because of the "requirement to preserve and protect the character of the listed building as one of the special architectural and historic interest."

Potential risks to repair workers include inhaling pigeon dung, the collapse of some areas of the church and asbestos in the former boiler room.

If the owner does not carry out the repair works required, the council as planning authority will carry out the urgent works on or after June 1 this year.

If the council carries out the work the bill will be sent to Arengate Ltd.

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