RESIDENTS of a former mining community have mounted a campaign to save a Salvation Army hall facing closure because of falling numbers at Sunday services.

The Salvation Army is to merge the church at Easington Colliery with the neighbouring congregation in Horden.

But an online petition calling on Salvation Army leaders to keep the 100-year-old hall in Easington Colliery open has now raised more than 260 signatures.

Petition organiser Kassie Starling said: “Unfortunately the divisional commander has made a decision to close Easington’s Salvation Army. His decision was based on the fact that not many attend the Sunday service.

“This is an unfair decision. The Salvation Army is not about Sunday service, it’s a charity as well as a church”.

The hall is home to a number of activities including a Tuesday toddler group, a Thursday kids’ club and community dinners on Fridays.

Writing on a Facebook page Save Easington Colliery Salvation Army, Kristy White said: “This building is not just a building, it is a part of the community”

One member of the congregation said: “We have been told that the corps is going to close at Easter, which is strange time as it is supposed to be a time of hope and new beginnings.”

A Salvation Army spokesman said: “We appreciate the sincere expressions of support for our Easington Colliery church and want to reassure our community that The Salvation Army is continuing its work as the church merges with its sister congregation in Horden.

“Change can be a difficult experience so we will be working closely with both churches to ensure a smooth transition as one church at Dene Street, looking ahead to building from the existing programmes of both and making full use of the additional space available from this site.

“This will be a real opportunity to strengthen our work and ensure we can sustain our ministry in this location, better supporting the communities through the shared skills of each congregation.”