Tsunami of churches face closure after funding cut

Labour accused of letting cultural treasures rot

- By Eleanor Burleigh

Cultural vandalism...broken stained glass: Sir Philip Rutnam, right

A “TSUNAMI” of church closures could be on the way because the Government slashed VAT relief for vital repairs on “the crown jewels” of our nation’s heritage.

Churches hold the country's largest collection of art, sculpture and stained glass, and make up half of England's Grade-I listed buildings.

But one in 20 could be forced to shut by the end of the decade.