RURAL churches struggling financially need not close because they cannot afford to provide disabled access, says a leading clergyman.

The Archdeacon of Richmond, North Yorkshire, the Venerable Ken Good, said he was alarmed to hear some churches and chapels across the country, which cannot raise money to pay for wheelchair ramps and toilets for disabled people, were reportedly considering closing.

Some fear that extra legislation to increase access for disabled people could mean expensive bills, which could particularly affect rural churches often run by elderly people struggling to meet existing financial commitments.

Archdeacon Good said people misunderstood the law if they believed churches were being forced to provide wheelchair ramps and install toilets for disabled people if it was unreasonable to do so.

New legislation affecting places of worship says church leaders should do "what is reasonable".

Archdeacon Good said: "And it also says that if doing it will bankrupt the organisation and remove the service for everyone, that is not reasonable. It all centres on what is reasonable."

He said he knew of no church in the Anglican Ripon and Leeds Diocese that would have to shut because of the amended Disability Discrimination Act, which will come into force on October 1.

Members of some churches across the country have spent up to £10,000 on providing better access, and said their finances were overstretched.