CHURCHGOERS are holding a celebration to mark the impending demolition of their Victorian-built church building.

Sunday's service of thanksgiving will mark the end of one era and the start of another for Carrville Methodist Church, on the outskirts of Durham, for the 133-year-old building in the High Street is making way for a new church.

Ten years ago it was decided the church needed an ancillary building, including a church hall. About £240,000 was raised by the congregation, and in 1995, the hall and ancillary building were erected.

Since then, members have focused on renewing the main church building. Events including coffee mornings and flower festivals have helped raise most of the target, which has risen to £292,180.

The church should be completed by next summer but Greta Hall, property secretary of the church building fund committee, said: "It will be business as usual in the interim while work is going on, because we'll just use the church hall.

"We would ask for people's patience on Carrville High Street as there will be some disruption, but we appreciate the support shown to us by members of the public and local residents."

Sunday afternoon's service of thanksgiving will be taken by Carrville's minister, the Reverend Alison Wilkinson.

The service will begin at 3.30pm and will be followed by a faith tea.