An historic dovecote in Leigh faces an uncertain future after it was offered to the Malvern Hills Conservators.

The Conservators have declined to accept responsibility for the 18th Century listed structure and have have written to the executors of the building contractor who left it to them in his will.

The dovecote is believed to date from around 1750 and is in the middle of a development of barn conversions near Leigh Court.

Director Ian Rowat said the duty of the Conservators was to look after land, not buildings.

"We didn't know we were going to be left it and we have no building conservation expertise," he said.

As the dovecote is some distance from the Malvern Hills, the Conservators' main area of responsibility, Mr Rowat said looking after it would be a burden on local taxpayers. He declined to say who had left them the building.

The group's administration and resources committee has written to the will's executors suggesting they contact English Heritage or the National Trust and offer them the building.

Rodney Lucas, of Lulsley, said the dovecote belonged to his partner in a building firm hired to convert the surrounding barns in 1995.

He declined to name the man, or the firm involved, but said some repairs were carried out to the dovecote to make it safe, as part of planning permission for the site. However, regulations prevented them from doing too much.

"It's located in the middle of a residential development," said Mr Lucas.

"As far as I can see, it's going to be left to stand there."