THIS Sunday, September 28, at 3pm, 151 years of Methodist worship will come to an end in Astwood Bank.

At that time, friends from the community and across the Bromsgrove and Redditch circuit will gather in celebration of the life and witness of the congregation over the years.

The worship will cease but the work will continue as community groups and meetings including the after school Funzone, YMCA, puppy club, fundraising coffee mornings, and the Welfare Association continue to use the premises for their own activities.

Barry Summers will continue to manage the building and the lettings and Anne Finch will continue to manage the money on behalf of the church.

The future use of the premises is under consideration but no immediate changes, other than the cessation of public worship, is envisaged.

A spokesman said: "The decision was reluctantly made by the trustees after sustained attempts to draw in new people which included door-to-door visits and invitations in the vicinity of the church and coffee mornings to raise funds, not for the church but for local charities. "Next time you’re passing and the door is open, why not look in?"