A LEADING North Yorkshire school has rescued a congregation whose crumbling church could be declared redundant.

Governors at Harrogate Grammar School have given their backing to a good-neighbour initiative, which allows their main assembly hall to be used for Sunday services.

Over decades, an estimated £1m has been put towards trying to solve structural problems and crumbling stonework at St Mary's Anglican Parish Church, a listed building off Cold Bath Road, in Low Harrogate.

The church is less than a mile from the grammar school in Arthur's Avenue and is part of St Mary's parish.

The Reverend Martin Soar, the vicar of St Mary's, said he wanted to thank the school publicly for aiding the church.

The church cannot officially accept the invitation until it has received a redundancy order from church commissioners in March.

Last year, experts told church officials that structural problems at St Mary's could not be solved unless every stone and brick in the 87-year-old building was replaced.

A public meeting has already been held by the church to explain the situation and Mr Soar said another meeting would be held to keep the congregation informed.

Meanwhile, St Mary's daughter church at Harlow Hill, which holds about 80 people, will be used for weddings and funerals.

A spokesman for Harrogate Grammar School said: "We are delighted to help our parish church. We are hoping this move will continue the link we already have with them."

Councillor Jim Clark, a grammar school governor who represents the area on North Yorkshire County Council, said: "This is an excellent example of one member of the community helping another.

"Both play a vital role in the area and I was pleased to give my backing to this sharing initiative."