PARISHIONERS have said farewell to their church -- until next Easter.

St James's Church in Clitheroe has closed for a £500,000 facelift, 162 years after it was built, to bring it into the 21st century.

In the meantime, parishioners will attend services at St James' School in Greenacre Street.

Plans were given the go ahead by Ribble Valley councillors last year despite claims by English Heritage that the scheme was "crude".

It includes staged cinema-style pews, a new kitchen and classroom, disabled access and community and adminstration areas.

The money was raised with a record-breaking gift day which raised almost £350,000. The diocese and congregation, known to include Ultraframe magnate John Lancaster and the firm's former managing director Ian Robinson, have made up the difference.

Since it was built in 1838, not many alterations have been made, but the need for a new heating system and teaching facilities have made work more desperately needed.

Martin Blackburn, press officer for the church, said: "The church family has been given the opportunity to buy some of the old pews, while the organ was painstakingly dismantled and transported to another church in Norfolk. Working parties have been organised over the coming days to clear out furnishings from the church and building work is expected to start at the end of June."

Sunday services will be held in the junior school hall and Wednesday morning communion services will take place in the infant hall.

While the work is being carried out, weddings and funerals, which would have been held at St James's will be moved to Clitheroe's parish churches of St Mary's and St Paul's.