AN angry resident from Chesnut Lodge has accused the Anglican Church of putting the 'final nail' in the community's coffin.

Sue Wynne is incensed that two churches in the area have been forced to close within the last 20 years.

The old Ditton Church Hall closed in the 1980s and now St Thomas' Church and church hall will close in July

As a result mums and toddler groups, morris dancers, beavers and scouts will all have to find a new home.

Sue said: "Closing St Thomas' is the final nail in our coffin. When I was growing up people relied on Ditton Church Hall for our various community groups.

"When the building was closed, despite much opposition, it resulted in the loss of many organisations."

Worship continued in the shared church of St Thomas' C of E and Stewards Lane Methodist Church. But in 1996 the parish vicar left and was not replaced.

Sue added: "This had a knock-on effect to people's attitudes to the church, members of the church felt the need of a 'dog collar' in the area and the numbers attending church dropped.

"The church's debts have now become too much and it will have to close in July.

"We are losing a place of worship and all the organisations who use the hall next to the church are going to be homeless."

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Liverpool said: "Our commitment to the people of the Diocese and the parishioners at St Thomas remain our main priority.

"The Diocese does not take the decision to close a church lightly. Closing St Thomas does not mean the Diocese is turning its back on the people of Ditton; instead it is trying to use its limited resources to best effect. This decision has the agreement of both the Methodist and Anglican denominations. Everyone will now be welcome to worship at St Michael's Church."