A CHURCH which has existed for over 100 years will soon shut its doors for the last time – due to a lack of parking.

The Rainbow Hill Centre, formerly the Rainbow Hill Baptist Church, in Astwood Road, Worcester, is closing down because a shortage of parking in the area has deterred groups from renting the building. The property will soon go up for sale.

Reverend Rachel Spence, the centre's community worker and church pastor, said: "The church building is closing but the congregation will continue meeting.

"Time and time again we are not bringing in enough funding to make us viable for the future.

"It served the area very well for a number of years but its location and lack of parking doesn't seem to serve us for the now or perceived future."

Rev Spence said groups tend to rent out local centres which have sufficient parking and easy access.

She added: "Where we are, we are not able to offer either of those things.

"We really feel for the groups [that use the centre] and we have been grateful for the time they have been using the building."

Some groups have already moved out of the property, although others have been given until July to leave.

The Worcester Model Railway Club (WMRC) is one of the organisations that has received the extra time.

David Lawrence, aged 66, secretary of the WMRC, said: "We have got until July before they kick us out.

"We have been there for just over three years. We get together and talk about locomotives and railways.

"If anyone can help us out in anyway with a room for us to rent and if they want to join us they are more than welcome."

Mr Lawrence added that his organisation had stopped building a model railway track that it had been working on for over three years.

He said: "As we were told we have got to get out we stopped doing it [building the track], it's pointless."

The WMRC, which has six members, meets in the centre on Tuesday and Friday every week.

The building was originally built in 1881 and has always had links to the baptist church, according to Reverend Spence.

All of the groups currently using the site have to leave the property before it can be put up for sale.

It is currently owned by a trust belonging to the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Anyone who can help the WMRC should email david.lawrence55@btinternet.com