A CHURCH that has been located in the former Colne Library for the past 40 years has moved out and the building is up for sale.

The congregation at the Providence Independent Methodist Church have now joined with that at the nearby Bethel Independent Methodist Church.

The church was established in the early 19th century and had several homes across Colne before moving into the former public library building in the 1970s.

But because of dwindling numbers they have now taken the decision to move in to the Bethel building.

Colne councillor Tony Greaves said they would be ‘keeping an eye’ on plans for the building.

He said: “I think we will be keeping a close eye on it. We want to find a use for the building but equally we will be careful about what use comes up and what is proposed.

“If it was empty for quite a long time then I then we will be taking a close look at it and what develops, it is an attractive and charming building.

“What we wouldn’t want is anything that would cause problems to the open area at the front of the building where the war memorial is.”

The building is being marketed by estate agents Trevor Dawson, who describe it as a substantial detached two-storey premises built in 1869 as a private residence and later converted to a library.

Before moving into the library building the church had been located in Garden Street and Lenches Road.