ALL Saints' church hall in Orrel Street, Bury, is to be sold, and several community and activity groups could be made homeless.

But the Rev Jon Beddington, a non-stipendiary minister in All Saints' parish, has reassured organisers that venues will always be available.

The church decided to sell the hall to raise cash towards the building of a new church.

The present church, in Tottington Road, Elton, was built in 1843 and is a grade two listed building.

It has been closed since October 1995, its worshippers moving to All Saints' daughter church, St Francis House, on Hebburn Drive, Brandlesholme.

Plans are in hand to build a new £500,000 200-seat church in Hebburn Drive. It will replace All Saints' and include a community centre and parsonage.

Pressure group PASE (Preservation of All Saints', Elton) are campaigning for its continued use as a place of worship.

Among organisations displaced by the plan to sell the hall are a dog training group, Bury Women's Royal Voluntary Service, All Saints' Operatic Society, and a number of groups associated with the church. The dog training class has been held at the old hall for 25 years. Joint organiser Mrs Mavis Halstead says the sale plans put its future in jeopardy.

Four general obedience classes are held every week for about 40 dogs.

Mrs Halstead stated: "There are four levels, working through from a basic class for young puppies all the way up to more advanced work with older dogs.

"The classes have thrived over the years and we have always had a very good relationship with the church.

"The hall could be sold at any time. We just don't know how long we've got."

Mr Beddington said he hoped the buyers of the church hall would allow activities currently taking place there to continue.

Failing that there was a Scout and Guide hut available on Orrel Street. And community rooms would be open at St Francis House.

"No one will be turfed out on their ear," said Mr Beddington.

The Bury Times reported last month that All Saints' Church was to be declared redundant by the parochial church council, which cannot afford spiralling repair costs.

Once the final declaration is completed, responsibility for the church will be transferred to the Manchester Diocesan Pastoral Committee.

Bury planning chiefs are keen to preserve the church and have requested emergency repair work to protect the building from further deterioration while efforts are made to find a new use.

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