A VILLAGE church with a congregation of just eight is set to close.

Their dedicated attempts to swell their dwindling flock and bring Bickershaw Methodist Church back to its former glory have failed and the chapel will shut its doors for the last time in July, if the Methodist Church gives the go-ahead.

Circuit steward for the Leigh and Hindley Green Circuit, Val Pownall, said: "Since it opened in 1899 the church has been central to the life of the village. But sadly, after many years of dedicated work by the small number of members remaining, it is to close, subject to approval.

"This decision has not come easy and is not without the efforts of those few members left to try and bring back the life of the church.

"At a recent meeting to discuss its future members recalled happy times spent at the church and the families from the village and surrounding area who had worshipped there.

"The future of the building has yet to be decided."

Minister of five years, the Rev Adrian Perry, who is also in charge at Hindley Green, Wigan Road, Leigh, and Atherton Central Methodist Churches, said he had seen the congregation fall in his time as older members died and had not been replaced by younger people.

He said: "It was a sad decision to make but the community has not answered calls to come forward and no new members have joined, leaving us with an elderly congregation of just eight.

"Sundays have changed with a lot of different activities on offer. It seems people dont feel the need for formal religion, though many still want the support of the church at baptisms, weddings and funerals."

Worship will continue to take place each Sunday until the final service on July 3 at 11am which will take the form of a service of thanksgiving for the 106 year life of the church in Bickershaw. Everyone is invited to attend.