A CONGREGATION that has raised thousands for a village in Africa is holding its final moneyspinning concert in its church, which is due to close next year.

Worshippers at The Avenue Methodist Church, in Middlesbrough, have already raised £18,000 for poverty-stricken people in Malawi and aim to donate a further £10,000 before the venue shuts next August.

The Malawi Project was set up in 2002 after a native, Lucia Chibwana, moved toMiddlesbrough to become housekeeper for a Malawian family. She met church community worker Linda Harkins at The Avenue and spoke about the hardship in her home village of Chagunda.

Inspired to help, three Methodist churches launched a fundraising effort and travelled to the country to dig fresh water boreholes. They then sent over two large containers filled with material, bedding, stationery and sewing machines.

"Going over there was a very humbling experience as they are trying desperately to be self-sufficient, " said Mrs Harkins.

The church, in Linthorpe, is now planning one last push to help the village become even more sustainable by providing it with electricityand corn-grinding machines.

Its final concert will be held at The Avenue on Saturday, December 10, at 7pm, when soprano Miranda Francis and the Norton Ensemble will perform A Christmas Cantata and Carols.

"It will be sad to see the church close, but if we can fill all 500 seats at this concert, to help raise funds for our Malawi Project, we will leave a lasting legacy we can all be proud of, " Mrs Karkins said.

"The church is having to close as the cost of running it is phenomenal and there is an elderly congregation."

The Avenue Methodist Church is a grade II-listed building which celebrated its centenary in 2008 and, in July, marked 100 years since the organ was installed.

In the five years to last year, five Methodist churches opened in the UK but 337 closed, 34 Anglican opened while 238 closed, but 668 Pentecostal churches opened against the demise of only four.

Tickets for Christmas Cantata and Carols are £5 fromMrs Harkins on 01642-882673 or 07970-192841.