15 April 2012 Last updated at 07:09 ET

Hartshill Methodist chapel to close after 175 years

A 175-year-old Methodist chapel in north Warwickshire is to close.

The minister of Hartshill Methodist chapel has spoken about the closure, which is partly due to lack of funds, saying it will be a "sad time".

Reverend Ian Worsford also said the chapel, near Nuneaton, was getting "fewer people" and maintaining the building took most of their "energy".

The final service will be held on 22 April at 18:00 BST.

Speaking about the decline in numbers, Rev Worsford said: "It's different stories in different places and there's growth in certain areas of the church and decline in others.

'Right decision'

"Hartshill is a village and has a number of churches within it, but our church wasn't experiencing growth.

"It will be a sad time for the folk at Hartshill next week, but hopefully it will be a moment of celebration too for all that's been in that place for 175 years.

"The building is likely to be put on the open market, but the church council needs to make that decision."

The final service will feature a former minister and members of the congregation speaking about what the church has meant to them.