CONTROL of a controversial family centre in Nelson has been transferred from local management to the Blackburn Diocese.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) at St John with St Phillip's Church met with officials from the Diocese and agreed to hand control of the centre to the Board of Social Responsibility.
The row over control of the family centre flared up last month when the Rev John Riley, who was due to become the next Vicar of the parish, withdrew from the job because the issue remained unresolved.
The family centre, based at St Phillip's in Leeds Road, caters for more than 200 children of all faiths.
Its future has been uncertain since manager Ian Hirst was suspended last November and later sacked.
PCC members and Diocese officials have now agreed that: "With immediate effect this PCC transfers the St Phillip's Family Centre project to the Blackburn Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility (BSR).
"The BSR will undertake to develop a local steering committee to ensure that the project continues to deliver a valued service to local people.
"The PCC remains committed to the ongoing work of the centre."
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