Church services in Broughton Moor will be held in the community centre from this Sunday.

Insurance at St Columba's Church ran out on Tuesday and the church, which has a congregation of 12 at most, cannot afford to upgrade the electric wiring that would enable it to renew its insurance.

Team vicar, the Rev Susan McKendrey, said a public meeting was called last month.

She added: "We sent out 300 letters about the future of the church and 25 people turned up to a meeting. It was quite disappointing."

She said the St Columbus church council had decided to close the building for six months to apply for grants and perhaps organise fundraising for the £50,000 that would be needed to bring the building up to code.

"But that will not be the end of it. The church will then have to be maintained - and if the roof goes that will be another huge cost."

She said every attempt would be made to try and re-open the church.

In the meantime, Sunday services will be held in the village community centre at the usual time of 9.15am.