A GRADE I-listed stately home is likely to collapse if repair work isn't urgently carried out, a report has revealed.

Parnham House in Beaminster was destroyed by fire in April 2017.

Its owner, Michael Treichl, was found dead in Geneva two months later.

Mr Treichl, who had been questioned by police about the fire before his death, had submitted plans for a temporary spiral staircase to allow safe access to the first-floor areas of the staff accommodation wing, which cannot be accessed internally due to the extent of fire damage. But, 12-months on, no work has yet been carried out.

According to a report produced by Historic England, the building could collapse if repair work isn't carried out this year.

It states the majority of the building's roof and internal structures are lost but much of the external fabric survives. The fire has created 'serious immediate stability issues', according to the report, and 'collapse is likely to continue due to increased loading from fallen debris, decay and softening all caused by water ingress' due to lack of protection from a roof.

Parnham House was placed on Historic England's 'At Risk' register in October 2017 but was recently prioritised as category A - with an 'immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric' with no solution agreed.

The reports warns that internal access will not be possible until the external walls are stabilised.

Members of the Historic England Advisory Committee visited Parnham House earlier this month to assess the site.

A spokesman for Historic England said: “Since the fire last year, Historic England has been working tirelessly to secure the future of Parnham House.

“We are working on how Parnham House might be saved. Even in its current condition, the property could be attractive to a buyer with the means and passion to restore it.

“Sadly, the longer the building is left, the more vulnerable it becomes to dilapidation.”

Parnham House dates back to the 1500s, when it was acquired by Richard de Strode during the reign of Henry VI, and is considered to be one of Dorset’s oldest and most important stately homes.