St Stephen’s and West Church spire inspection begins

The Broughty Ferry church spire badly damaged in a lightning strike a fortnight ago has been obscured by scaffolding for an insurance assessment.

Amid fears that the St Stephen’s and West Church spire, a prominent part of the skyline for more than 100 years, might be beyond repair, an assessor is scheduled to examine the structure.

It is understood a meeting on Friday between church representatives and the assessor will determine the fate of the spire.

It bore the full brunt of a lightning bolt that ripped a large hole in it and caused roof tiles, timber and masonry to rain down.

An initial assessment by the city engineer concluded that the spire is sound but church elders fear the damage might cost too much to put right.

The church, which occupies a corner on Westfield Road and Dundee Road, is an A-listed building.