Church attendance may be at rock bottom, but people want to live in them, according to a poll by property website, propertyfinder.com. Converted churches topped the list of homebuyers' favourite building conversions, followed by the county set's favourite, the barn. Converted schools came third and the yuppie pad of choice, the warehouse, came fourth.

Least popular among homebuyers are flats converted from old office blocks which a number of respondents called characterless', although they are more popular with young, single people.

Overall 60% of respondents would prefer some sort of converted building, with 40% opting for a purpose built house or flat.

Estate agents tend to agree.

In a separate poll conducted by propertyfinder.com, they also ranked churches the most desirable, but also poorest value for money and least well laid out for practical living purposes.

Estate agents were much less likely than homebuyers to consider any of the options relatively cheap or a bargain, but believe that flats in converted houses are most likely to be fairly priced.

Nicholas Leeming, Director of propertyfinder.com commented: Buyers want something a bit different, but also a home that is pleasant to live in and doesn't cost the earth. Too often developers shoehorn flats into a beautiful church to maximise their return and end up spoiling the space and creating uninspiring homes. Barns are more likely to be turned into a single house and as such attract top marks for good layout.