Efforts to save a fire-ravaged stately home have been stepped up after it was found the building is in need of urgent stabilisation.

Representatives from Historic England met officers from the West Dorset District Council last week to discuss the council serving an Urgent Works Notice on the owners of Parnham House, Beaminster.

Historic England says it has also made funds available to secure the outer walls of the building while its long term future is discussed.

Parnham House was destroyed by fire in April 2017.

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

Since then, the fate of the building has remained in question.

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 earlier this month, 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.

Cllr Ian Gardner, West Dorset District Council's portfolio holder for planning, said: "We recognise the significance of Parnham House and are working with Historic England in order to protect it for potential future restoration.

"To this end, we are currently considering the possibility of Urgent Works Notice.

"The district council are not planning to provide any financial contribution to the stabilisation of Parnham House, however we are exploring whether we can provide support in other ways."

A spokesman for Historic England said: "The Grade I listed building is in urgent need of stabilisation and repair following a fire which gutted the house.

We have been in discussions with the council for some time about how we can work together to save Parnham House, which is an important part of our national and local heritage. Historic England has made the funds available to stabilise the external walls of the building while future options to secure its long term preservation are explored. The decision on how to proceed now lies with the council.”