BATTLING Christian soldiers are taking their fight right to the top.

Tyldesley Salvation Army members have called in the movement's UK leader to challenge a decision to condemn their home.

This week Salvationists from the seemingly doomed Lime Street HQ called in Territorial Commander Commissioner Alex Hughes in the hope of averting closure.

They are asking for an independent assessment because they dispute the findings of a regional survey which estimated it would cost £30,000 to carry out repairs at Lime Street.

They are inviting Commissioner Hughes to send a representative to Tyldesley to take a closer look.

Last month, in an exclusive Journal interview, the SA's Salford-based Divisional Commander Major Chick Yuill said the Lime Street building was earmarked for closure next March.

Major Yuill said £30,000 needed spending on the Tyldesley HQ and instead of using funds to repair the building it was more practical to combine Tyldesley with Atherton corps and divert cash to the Army's work with the needy.

But staunch Salvationists claim their HQ needs less than half that amount spending on it.

They also say they could cover most of that cost from corps funds and would need only to raise a maximum of £2,500 to bring the building up to scratch.

"Lime Street must not close. If it did what is going to happen to the 24 youth club members and the 37 children who attend our mums and toddlers group?" asked member Railton Hirst of Garrett Hall Road, Mosley Common.

"Tyldesley is a deprived area and to continue the good work of the Salvation Army we need somewhere to meet.

"Our position alongside one of the two main arteries through the town ensures the Salvation Army has a high profile."

Like-minded members are questioning some aspects of a building survey report cited by those who condemned the building.

Campaigners who are resisting closure accept kitchen facilities need upgrading.

But they strongly refute suggestions that new windows and roof repairs are necessary.

Salvationist Mrs Maureen Hirst added: "Tyldesley needs a Salvation Army presence. It is a completely different place to Atherton. Look at all the regeneration money that has gone to Atherton -- Tyldesley has never had a penny!"

On Wednesday a spokesman at the Salvation Army's UK headquarters in London said she was unaware of any approach by Tyldesley corps. "It would probably be referred back to division," she said.