ONE of Bromsgrove's most ancient and attractive footpaths, the flight of steps leading to St John's church, are dangerous and will be closed for up to six months.

Meanwhile, estimates are being sought from a Birmingham firm of stonemasons to carry out the repair work, which could exceed £100,000.

The '48 steps' as they are affectionately known by older Bromsgrovians are actually 42, and were at one time 63. They run from St John Street and terminate at the lychgate, which dates from 1656.

The steps have been unofficially closed for some time since the lychgate was accidentally damaged by an excavator during maintenance work.

A combination of the unkempt steps and half demolished lychgate now presents a dismal picture of what is generally held to be one of the most delightful approaches to any parish church in Worcestershire. If necessary, the six-month period can be extended by permission of the Secretary of State for the Environment.

It has emerged after much deliberation, that involved the church, Bromsgrove Society and the district and county councils that it is the county authority's highways partnership that is responsible for their maintenance.

Maintenance manager Terry Godwin said until stonemasons inspect the steps it is impossible to say how expensive or big the job will be. He explained everyone concerned will strive to retain the character of the steps and it may be possible to reuse some of the treads by simply turning them over. But he warned the original mason may not have bothered to 'dress' or smooth all the stones' faces.

There is an added problem too. It may be that the foundations of the walls alongside are built on the steps making it difficult to lift them.

pete.lammas@midlands.newsquest.co.uk