A £400,000 refurbishment project at an historic Clitheroe church has stalled after workmen hit unexpected problems.

Work started in May on the 200-year-old Trinity Methodist Church in Parsons Lane with church goers hoping to reopen the church at around Christmas time.

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However workers from W Monks in Longridge discovered that the roof needed to be reinforced which has pushed the expected reopening of the church back into the New Year.

The project was started with an aim to bring the church into the 21st Century and services have been moved into the church hall behind the traditional Wesleyan chapel while the work is carried out.

Congregation members have said that the church might reopen sometime in January or even February but it will depend on if any other problems are come across.

Roland Hailwood, a longstanding member of the church’s congregation, said that there were enough funds to detail with the delay which is expected to run into the £1,000s.Members of the church had raised money for the project over the last few years alongside gaining grants from various sources.

Mr Hailwood said: “Before the work started some people hoped that we would be back in the church by Christmas.

“As work progressed that become less likely as minor problems were discovered.

“This is what you expect in a building project and I’d like anyone to show me one that doesn’t get delayed by unexpected problems.

“The extra cost for the roof can be covered within the original budget and shouldn’t delay the work by too long.

“The work by Monks has been great so far and we have no complaints at all.

“After it has been finished we will be able to get back into the church and fit it out before reopening it for services and events.”