Church where Shakespeare buried at risk

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, England, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The church in Stratford-upon-Avon where England's most famous writer is buried could be forced to close without major repairs, its vicar says.

The Rev. Martin Gorick told the Birmingham Post that Holy Trinity Church needs 2.5 million pounds (almost $4 million) worth of work.

"If we don't attend to the windows, we are probably only five years off from having to close the church, from a safety point of view," he said. "We are determined that won't be the case."

About 250,000 people a year from come from around the world to Holy Trinity to see the slab over William Shakespeare's grave, with its curse on anyone who moves his bones, and the monument with its bust of the writer. Holy Trinity gets more visitors than any other parish church in the country.

The oldest parts of the church date from 1210. Shakespeare was baptized in the church, served as a lay rector, and had his funeral and burial there.

Gorick said the church receives no aid from the government. It depends on donations from visitors and its own fundraising to pay for maintenance and repair.