Council rescues church

Bosses agreed to buy Littleborough United Reformed Church - which dates back to the mid-19th century - at the latest cabinet meeting.

- NICK STATHAM

ROCHDALE council has shelled out on ‘rescuing’ a historic church - despite fears it could relaunch as a community hub and put existing venues out of business.

It is understood the authority will pay a six-figure sum for the church and former Sunday school building, which had previously been marketed at £300,000. Church elders say the decision to sell to the council was not an easy one, but the problems of looking after a 150-year-old building were becoming a ‘burden to the congregation’, potentially putting its future at risk.