Diocese triggers consultation on historic church

St Cuthbert's Church in Billingham has "low" numbers of worshippers

A Church of England diocese has triggered a public consultation on the future of a 1,000-year-old church.

Billingham parish applied to close St Cuthbert's Church last year due to rising costs and falling attendance.

A Bishop's Council meeting has now decided to hold a consultation on its future.

A Diocese of Durham spokesperson said keeping the church open was "no longer sustainable" due to the significant cost of maintaining the building.

Churchgoers have been reassured that there are three nearby churches to meet their needs.

Friends of St Cuthbert's community group believes it has put forward a viable business plan to take ownership and continue using the building.

Charles Wellington and the Friends of St Cuthbert's group hope to use the church as a community hub

Secretary of the friends group, Charles Wellington, said that the open consultation seemed positive.

He said: "The friends are to be consultees to the closure proposals and the diocese have invited us to meet them them to discuss our business plan.

"This seems positive and we will be agreeing how to respond.

"The friends remain completely opposed to diocese proposals for the closure of St Cuthbert's without any commitment to its reuse for the benefit of the community."

The diocese is inviting the group to discuss its business plan.

If the plan is accepted, the parish would close the church then transfer it to the community group, in its capacity as a charitable community body.

The friends group already offers activities at the church including concerts, exhibitions, nature walks and traditional services.