A CHURCH with more than 130 years of history in Huntingdonshire has been forced to close because of a lack of worshippers. The Godmanchester branch of the Salvation Army has held services in the town since the 1870s, providing a place of worship for Salva

A CHURCH with more than 130 years of history in Huntingdonshire has been forced to close because of a lack of worshippers.

The Godmanchester branch of the Salvation Army has held services in the town since the 1870s, providing a place of worship for Salvationists in the town, Huntingdon and surrounding villages.

However, in recent years, the number of people attending services has dropped to fewer than a dozen and now the church has decided to close the branch.

Major David Lewis, from the Salvation Army, said: "Unfortunately, with the numbers attending services so low, it is no longer viable for the Godmanchester branch to continue holding church services.

"The building is widely used by other groups including parents and toddlers, guides and brownies and these groups will remain unaffected."

The final service at the church was held on Sunday, conducted by Major Alan Burns and Major Aubrey Draycott, who had travelled from the Army's Divisional Headquarters in Norwich.

The Salvation Army has owned the church premises in Silver Street since the late 1980s when the Baptist Church vacated the site to move to a larger building.

Before that the Army had occupied premises in the town's Pipers Lane.

In recent years the church has hosted lunch clubs for elderly people, offering good value meals as well as regular outings for members.

Major Lewis added: "Some of our regular congregation will travel to Willingham while others will attend alternative services locally.

"It is important to stress that, if interest and numbers wanting to attend services picked up, then the services might resume but with such low numbers at present it is not viable.