A VICTORIAN chapel that has fallen into disrepair since it closed three years has gone on the market.

The Primitive Methodist Chapel, in Toft Hill, near Bishop Auckland, is being marketed by Barnard Castle-based chartered surveyors Sandersons, for £145,000.

The chapel closed in 2001 after a fall in the congregation and high maintenance costs meant it was unfeasible to keep open.

It was sold to a private buyer, but despite planning permission to convert the chapel into a five-bedroomed house, the building has not been converted.

The Reverend Richard Bainbridge, Methodist minister in neighbouring Etherley, said: "The chapel at Toft Hill was such a large building it needed an enormous amount spending on it, so it was decided that it was best to sell it.

"When we did sell it, we thought something would get done with it, but it has been left to get in quite a dismal state. Nothing's really happened to it apart from the windows falling out."

The proposed conversion of the house included two bedrooms, a bathroom, a utility room and a kitchen and breakfast room on the ground floor.

On the first floor would be a further three en-suite bedrooms, including one with a dressing room, a living room and study.

There are gardens at the front and back of the chapel and there is permission for a double garage.

Mr Bainbridge said: "It is a very good example of a Primitive Methodist Chapel. If you go back 50 or 60 years it would have been very much part of village life.

"It does dominate the village, so it would be nice to see something done with it. It would make a very nice house. It is certainly large enough."

Local district councillor Adrian Moore said: "It is getting quite a danger, the kids have knocked the windows out and there's quite a drop at the back."