A VILLAGE church threatened with closure and which contains a renowned collection of paintings has been thrown a lifeline at the 11th hour -- but it may not be enough.

Blackwell Methodist Church, affected by falling congregations, has been granted a Grade II listed building status by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

It means the Greenhill site's collection of Bernard Sleigh paintings of New Testament scenes will now be protected but the church and its hall still face closure.

If the church closes charity regulations will force it and the hall to be sold to the highest bidder, but if a Methodist body worships in the village, perhaps through a merger with nearby St Catherine's Anglican Church, in St Catherine's Road, the premises would not have to be sold.

Deacon Janet Thomas told the Advertiser/Messenger: "We still think that whatever happens the church will close because there are not enough people to run it.

"We want to keep it open but that may not be possible.

"If we keep it as a living building people will still be able to see the pictures."

One possible solution which is being looked at is with Linthurst First School, which does not have a hall, using it but that would mean removing the pews.