A VICAR has assured the people of Bolton that churches will not attempt to use an archaic law to send bills to parishioners for church upkeep.

Chancel repair liability is a law dating back to mediaeval times which affects some properties, usually rectories and those on former monastery land.

It means that some homeowners could find themselves responsible for thousands of pounds of repairs to their local church. David Johnson, a property partner with KBL Solicitors, said that chancel repair liability affects 40 per cent of land in England and Wales, and that some homes in Bolton are at risk from claims.

Historic evidence suggests there may be a clause attached to some properties near Bolton Parish Church, because a memoir of the former vicar Edward Whitehead records that he had a dispute with parishioners about chancel repair in 1764.

But the Vicar of Bolton, the Rev Matt Thompson, said he would not be pursuing claims, despite advice by the Legal Advisory Commission to the Church of England.

He said: “It’s just not relevant to our way of approaching things. I don’t really have any thinking on it, but we won’t seek to institute it.”

A report by the Legal Advisory Commission said churches have a duty to investigate chancel repair liability claims, but warns that attempts to enforce the law could create bad publicity.

A couple in Warwickshire, Andrew and Gail Wallbank, have been ordered to pay more than £400,000 in repairs and legal costs due to a chancel repair liability claim.

Chancel repair law is set to change in October, 2013, meaning land and property owners will only be liable if it is referred to in the land register.