THE Last Post has sounded for Tyldesley Salvation Army.

On Sunday morning members of the 112-year-old corps held their last services at Lime Street and a few tears were shed as they left the old headquarters for the last time.

But in the afternoon the Salvation Army's newly created Seven Brooks Christian Centre was opened as over 100 members joined Divisional Commander Major Chick Yuill in a first combined service at Atherton.

Sally Crompton, of Elizabethan Court, Tyldesley recalls how she was a regular at the Tyldesley HQ right from the days when she was little "sunbeam" Sally Hill from Alfred Street.

"It was heartbreaking to see the place close," she sighed, this week.

"I've been connected with Tyldesley Salvation Army on and off all my life.

"Best wishes were sent to members by Commissioner Arthur Holland's wife and I'm sure late corps secretary John Taylor and his wife Lily would have been very upset to see this day as would former corps leaders Captain and Mrs Bert Hartley."

A spokesman for the Salvation Army said 21 st century demands meant resources were better diverted to practical work in the area rather than maintaining buildings. With Atherton and Tyldesley being a short distance apart the decision had been taken to close Tyldesley HQ, which needed improvements estimated at £30,000, and concentrate on covering the area from one base.

A hard core of Tyldesley members disputed the estimated renovation cost and initially wanted the opportunity to raise funds and carry out necessary repair work.

But Divisional Commander Major Yuill made clear there would be no reprieve when he met Tyldesley stalwarts.

He told corps members: "We have two close communities within a mile of each other and our Atherton premises were newly built in 1994.

"We are not in the business of diminishing the work of the Salvation Army, but our programme is about caring for people. Buildings can drag us down.

"The Salvation Army exists for the benefit of non-members. Our business is caring for people."

But many an old soldier has not taken too kindly to the move. Some members have upped sticks and joined Farnworth corps, others have switched to churches and a number have joined forces with Atherton.

Tyldesley SA Capt Cecilia Dodd is in charge of the Seven Brooks centre but is scheduled to move to another location at the end of May when new officers will be appointed to cover the Tyldesley and Atherton area.