A DATE has been set for the last ever service at an historic church in a Bromsgrove village.

Worshippers will gather for final prayers at Blackwell Methodist Church on Sunday, September 1.

The 120-year-old building has been hit by falling congregations and earlier this year the Birmingham District Synod of the Methodist Church decided its 11 churchgoers should merge with Lickey End Methodist Church, in Alcester Road.

Under charity regulations, because there will be no Methodist congregation worshipping in Blackwell, the church is now on the market and must be sold to the highest bidder.

Its busy neighbouring hall, used by many village groups, will remain while there is a need for the facility in the parish and will be run by the Lickey End church.

Deacon Janet Thomas said the grade II listed building boasts a collection of Bernard Sleight paintings of New Testament scenes and historic stained glass windows.

The paintings may be removed and placed in storage and old artefacts could go to become part of the county's archive collection.

"The threat of closure has been hanging over the church since I came here five years ago and it's incredibly sad the time has now come to close it," she said.

The church will retain some of its neighbouring field and Janet reassured youngsters in the village that the play area may be moved but it won't be lost.

The church has the potential to become a home, office or even a music venue but many restrictions are in place due to its listed status.

Even special permission is needed before the pews can be removed.