A TOWN centre church is to shut later this year because the building is in need of a £200,000 transformation.

Spennymoor Salvation Army will close in autumn after 126 years in the town, because the expenditure of money to renovate its centre in Dundas Street cannot be justified.

The congregation of fewer than 20 people were devastated when they found out about the closure proposal from Salvation Army officials two weeks ago.

Members of the congregation yesterday said goodbye to their leader, Captain Pauline Ingram, as she held her last service in the centre.

She was appointed a year ago to run the corps at Spennymoor and West Cornforth. Capt Ingram will continue to work at West Cornforth.

She said: "I will miss them. It is very sad news but, sadly, unavoidable.

"Some of the congregation have been coming here all their lives and will really miss it.

"They often refer to their corps family like a second family and it is their spiritual home, there is a great sense of belonging and warmth between members.

"The building would need an awful lot of work to meet new health and safety and equality guidelines as it is an old, traditional building which does not easily allow disabled access or facilities. It also needs further refurbishment.

"My other Corps is based just over three miles away but that is a long way for older people, or those without cars to travel on Sunday."

Corps treasurer and pianist David Ward has attended the church with his wife, Aileen, and sons, Christopher and Alex, 14 and 11, since moving to the town 16 years ago.

He said: "This will not only be a loss to members but the town as we've always been very active within the community and held events which we will not be able to do in future.

"As there are no suitable bus services running on a Sunday to the nearest corps, West Cornforth or Shildon, we hope to find a base in Spennymoor where we can establish a group to keep the congregation together even after the building has gone."