FIVE heritage sites 'at risk' of being lost forever have been identified in Worcester.

That is according to the latest Heritage at Risk register, which shows buildings that have an uncertain future because of neglect, decay, or inappropriate development.

Those that have been identified as being at risk in Worcester include the Grade II listed St Helen's Church, Lowesmore and sections of the City Walls.

City walls: Section extending 130 feet (40 metres) from the back of No.27 New Street to Windsor Row - Worcester

Historic England has warned that this isolated section of the city's historic walls of defence is facing an immediate risk of further 'rapid deterioration'.

Re-emerging plant growth is said to be damaging the wall, despite the owner of the stretch removing large amounts of the foliage in 2019. 

Barriers are also needed to protect the 40-metre stretch.

Lowesmoor, Worcester

Listed as a conservation area, Lowesmoor is described by the register as being in 'very bad' condition from Lion Court to the B4205, with medium vulnerability. 

However, it has been noted that it is 'improving'.

Church of St Helen, Fish Street, Worcester

The Grade II listed Church of St Helen is one of the oldest in the city and widely recognised as the "mother church" of Worcester.

The presence of iron cramps in conjunction with the red sandstone used for rebuilding is said to be causing accelerated deterioration and failure of the facework.

Masonry repairs funded by a National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant for Places of Worship was completed in 2019, leaving repairs to the south aisle and lowest stage of the tower to be attended to.

It has been listed as category 'C' priority, with no solution currently agreed on how the 'slow decay' will be addressed.

City walls: Section extending 150ft (50m) between Angel Place and Bath Cottage

Although it is currently being described as 'stable', Historic Worcester has warned that the 50m stretch of the city wall between Angel Place and Bath Cottage is still at threat of collapse.

The privately owned section of the town's defences is a Grade II listed monument.

Moated site at Earl's Court, Rushwick

The moated area of Earl's Court comprises of two conjoined moated islands thought to date from the 16th century. 

However, Historic England has listed its condition as 'declining', with scrub and tree growth causing 'major localised problems'.

The register is compiled by Historic England, a public body that looks after England's historic environment.

Over the last year alone, they've helped rescue 49 sites in the Midlands and obtained a total of £3,147,977 in Heritage at Risk grants, which have been given to protect historic places.