A school hall is set to become the temporary home of Silsden Methodist Church.

The congregation is upping sticks and moving to Hothfield Junior School when the demolition of the 150-year-old church takes place to make way for a new, environmentally friendly one.

Minister the Rev Jacky Hale said she hoped work would start in the autumn, depending on responses to a building contract currently out to tender under charity law.

Planning permission for the new church was granted last year and it will be built on the grassy area at the front of the current building, with some land at the back designated for new housing. Mrs Hale expects the new church will take around nine months to complete, subject to the contract agreement.

The 20-something church and community groups which use Silsden Methodist Church have been sent letters suggesting they find somewhere else to meet from September.

Mrs Hale said: “It is inevitable that people will be hurt and a bit upset at losing a building but I hope they will be able to see that we must build a church now for the next generation.

“It must be fit for purpose and the current building needs a lot of work on it. It is not the best accommodation or place of worship for the community and we hope to build something that will last for another 150 years.”