A third bid for lottery funds could be made to try to mend Ledbury Parish Church's leaking spire.

Bids in 2004 and last year failed to secure the £100,000 needed to carry out the work, which would involve scaffolding around the medieval landmark.

Churchwarden Malcolm Brothers said the decision on whether to submit a third bid would depend on an architect's report to be submitted after Easter.

Anglican churches are subject to five-yearly inspections by an architect and Ledbury's is due this spring.

Mr Brothers said: "We may well apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund again, but that depends on the architect's report. You never know what might turn up."

If other problems come to light, funding may need to be sought for those instead.

Mr Brothers said he was disappointed the lottery had twice turned down bids for funding. But he added: "We understand that they receive many applications and ours was not sufficiently high priority."

A large amount of rainwater did seep into the tower on one occasion and maintenance work may also be needed on the counter-weight system, which helps to attach the weather vane to the top of the spire.

Much of the work would involve retiling and re-pointing. Permission from the Diocese of Hereford, called a faculty, would need to be obtained before work could start.