Residents, councillors and a church leader attended a public meeting to discuss whether a chapel building in East Lancs can be bought by the community.

Shawforth Methodist Church in Rossendale is earmarked to close this August as a place of worship and then to be sold.

But campaigners want to buy it, using a not-for-profit community interest company. A mums and toddlers group meets there and it has the capacity for other uses too, say campaigners.

And they say financial grants gained  to improve the building in recent years along with voluntary work done by locals can be included as factors in demonstrating a commitment in a potential bid to buy the building.

Last year’s community transfer of Whitworth Leisure Centre has been held up as a symbol of what can be achieved. That involved the borough and town councils and a new community interest company.

But campaigners say the community must get involved again around Shawforth, to demonstrate interest. The building is currently owned by the Methodist Church while some land there is owned by Rossendale Coucil, it is understood

A public meeting was held at the chapel on Monday and the leader of the Rossendale Methodist Circuit has confirmed the church will hold its last service at the end of August.

Rev David Burrows, superintendent minister, said: “It is sad after so many years of regular worship at Shawforth the time has now come to cease.

“The Methodist Church in Rossendale can no longer meet the costs of running the building and the small congregation no longer has the capacity to raise the necessary funds.  The building now becomes the responsibility of Rossendale Methodist Circuit, where the members are the charity trustees.”

The buy-out campaign is being championed by Community First Cllr Alan Neal. 

He said: “It was a good meeting. I think we all now have a better understanding of the situation faced by the Methodists and also some of options and ideas for the future.”

Six town councillors, including mayor and mayoress, Gareth and Ness Baron, along with County Cllr Scott Smith attended and discussed ways forward.

Cllr Neal confirmed setting up a community interest company was the preferred option. It was agreed to hold the next public meeting on Monday,  July 15, at the chapel, from 7pm.