A RIBBLE Valley village is being urged to rally together this Christmas after its church was declared unsafe for worship.

St Nicholas' Church in Sabden, a 160-year-old Grade Two listed building, was closed at lunchtime yesterday following a safety survey carried out by architects, engineers and church officials.

Services over Christmas will take place in the church hall instead.

Vicar the Rev Roland Nicholson said everyone was devastated by the news: "It is a much-loved church. But following the report, and talks involving our insurance people, we've got no alternative, so the church is closed."

The decision followed the reception of a survey, one of the regular five-yearly reports which assess the condition of Church of England churches.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, said: "I was very saddened by this news, and will be remembering the parish and its community in my prayers.

"I hope very much that the church and community will rally together during the Christmas season, to ensure that the life of the church continues in spite of this setback."

An emergency meeting of the church council was held last night to hear details from the initial report. Members will meet again in January, with architectural, engineering and church experts, to discuss the future.

First casualty of the closure is Sabden Primary School's nativity and carol service tonight, which will now take place at nearby St Mary's RC Church.

Head teacher Sandra Dundon said: "Although we are not a church school we have very close links with St Nicholas'. Mr Nicholson is a school governor and takes assemblies at the school every Friday.

"We anticipated that his assembly today would be a sad one."

She added: "When we heard about the closure we immediately wrote to all our parents to tell them about the change of venue for the nativity, thanks to the hospitality of St Mary's RC Church.

"The closure is very sad, but we don't know what the future will hold."

The Archdeacon of Lancaster, the Ven Colin Williams, who attended yesterday's meeting on behalf of the Blackburn Diocese, said: "I am very sad that this step has had to be taken at this season.

"But I am quite sure the parish has done the right thing, as their first concern has been that the safety needs of all are met."

He added: "I and others will be consulting with the parish to seek the best way forward."