The future of a landmark Walsall church that has been left to rot for 18 years could be decided within weeks, it was revealed today.

One of four owners of Walsall’s Mellish Road Church site, a grade II listed building which has crumbled into an eyesore, said a consultant had been called in to look at potential options.

It comes after council chiefs threatened to take court action over the site, which has been left at the mercy of arsonists and vandals for the last 18 years.

But part-owner Amjad Ali said they were now in talks with authority chiefs about the best way forward.

“We’re working with the council,” he said. “Obviously it’s in very bad condition and it needs a lot of money spending on it. We have got a consultant looking at it now to see what we can do with it and should have a better idea in around four weeks.”

Walsall Council leader Councillor Mike Bird said the council was demanding action over the site.