The Dorset church mixing sermons with shuttlecocks

The quirky court, set up in the church in the mid 1970s, has become a hit in the village

The sound of bells, a church organ and congregational singing are all things you would expect to hear coming from a church - probably not the thwack of racket strings on a shuttlecock.

Inside Christ Church, in Melplash, south-west Dorset, the fast-paced sport of badminton has been played for the last 50 years.

The court came about in the 1970s, when the large Church of England church saw the congregation dwindle.

Treasurer Peter Jones said the vicar at the time decided to remove the pews, the court was marked out, a net set up and "it's been going on ever since".

From the outside, you wouldn't know the church in Melplash was different from any other

Mr Jones said the court was the church's "hidden secret"

The large village church, about halfway between Exeter and Bournemouth, is thought to be the only one in the country with a badminton court in its nave.

Mr Jones said: "It's a nice big space and it happened to measure out at the right size for a badminton court.

"We don't have a banner outside the church saying: 'Badminton here twice a week'.

"It's very much a church for all intents and purposes as you pass by, it's our hidden secret inside."

The court is used in the evenings during the week and not on Sunday mornings, when church services are held.

Having the court for the village to use "has given us something of a new lease of life", Mr Jones added.

Rev Canon David Baldwin said he was "amazed" people were able to make it happen

Rev Canon David Baldwin, team rector in the Beaminster area, said: "I've never had a church with a badminton court before.

"I am amazed that, 50 years ago, people were able to make it happen. We are delighted that it's here today.

"I used to play badminton, I love it, I am always tempted to play but by my knee won't allow it."

Badminton England places manager Beccy Lewis, whose job is to grow and develop the sport in non-traditional spaces, described the court in the nave as "brilliant and amazing".

She said: "How lovely to play badminton in such a lovely, open and fresh facility somewhere unique.

"Sports halls can be a little bit intimidating at times, it's really great to see. It does show that it can be played anywhere."