CHURCHES are becoming increasingly like the Forth Bridge.

Although that world-famous bridge only needs painting – and as soon as the job’s done it’s time to start again – with churches the situation is far more serious.

It’s amazing how many churches there are in Huddersfield of all denominations, yet most have one thing in common – and that is decay.

Many are hundreds of years old and time has taken its toll. Huddersfield Parish Church has had several restoration projects in recent years and now the latest will see £155,000 from English Heritage go towards vital repairs.

But that’s just the start as the church itself must now raise the cash to match the grant. St Peter’s is a high profile church in the heart of Huddersfield but there are many more continually deteriorating with dwindling congregations to care for them.

Churches were once the very fabric of our society. Now it is their fabric that is fading and they are becoming more and more the forgotten buildings.

Perhaps it’s time for entire communities to rally around their churches again and help with the onerous task of fundraising.

Failing that, the sad demise will simply continue and they may be lost forever.