PARISHIONERS are set to have their weekly services in a funeral director's when a 119-year-old Ribble Valley church is knocked down next month.

Chatburn Methodist Church, which has been in use since 1883, will close on February 23 and 24 ready for demolition on March 11.

It will be replaced by a new single-storey £275,000, 80-seater chapel with full facilities for the disabled.

The services are expected to be held at nearby funeral director's premises in Downham Road, Chatburn, owned by Brian Price, who is also a member of the Methodist circuit.

It is hoped the new building will be completed in time for the harvest festival in early October.

Fundraising for the scheme is still under way, with another £99,000 still needed to reach the £275,000 target. Monies raised so far have come from grant aid from the Methodist Church and £30,000 raised by the people of Chatburn.

The Rev Christopher Cheeseman, superintendent of the Clitheroe Methodist Circuit, said a decision to rebuild the church was made to bring it in line with the Disability and Discrimination Act before 2003.

He said: "The present church is currently set out on four levels and is not accessible for disabled people. We had to make the decision to demolish it and build a new structure or refurbish the existing building at a cost of £400,000.

"In the end it was decided a new single-storey building with proper disabled access would be more acceptable."

The church has a congregation of around 30, but is used by youth groups from all over the Ribble Valley, including the Chatterbox primary school club on Tuesdays, the youth group on Wednesdays and by computer and fellowships groups during the day.

In an effort to raise more funds for the building work, a number of activities will take place, starting with a sponsored hymn singing on Sunday February 17 from 3-5pm. To take part, call in at Roy Porter's butcher's shop in the village. The cost of a hymn is a minimum donation of £1.

On Saturday February 23, from 2-4pm, a silent auction will be held, with lots including general household items together with present church furnishings. Lots will be declared at 4pm.

This will be followed with a ceilidh from 7.30-10.30pm led by the band Hot Punch, with songs from The Music Makers. Tickets are £5 including a meat and potato pie supper.

On Sunday February 24 at 7pm will be the final service in the present building conducted by Clitheroe circuit staff and members of the Chatterbox Club, which will include the sacrament of Holy Communion.

A spokesman for the Blackburn Diocese of the Church of England said that no churches at present look set for demolition as a result of the Disability and Discrimination Act.