IT is the final curtain call for theatre groups at the place they have called home for more than 40 years.

After months of campaigning, CATS Youth Theatre’s £300,000 bid to buy the Theatre Church building in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge has been rejected.

Bolton Methodist Circuit has sold the building, which was put on the market in January, to another bidder.

The venue is used by five amateur dramatic societies, two youth theatre groups, eight dance groups and numerous other community organisations.

Paul Cohen, chairman of Bolton Amateur Theatre Society and codirector of CATS Youth Theatre, said: “We have lost the theatre, we have lost our home and Astley Bridge has lost a community facility.

“It’s used by five amateur dramatic societies — it’s used so well. Over the years, we have put so much into the place.

“They are just taking it away from us.

“We put our bid in. I’m not saying they should’ve handed it to us. It’s all about pounds, shillings and pence, about who has got the biggest wallet. It’s wrong.”

Due to dwindling congregation numbers, three Methodist churches — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road and Halliwell — will merge and move to a new building at the site of the former Delph Hill Methodist Church in Chorley Old Road.

Campaigners initially set about raising £750,000 but Mr Cohen said an independent survey valued the building at £270,000.

They were able to submit their bid for £300,000 thanks to fund-raising and support from businesses.

The venue was converted in 1969 to offer a purpose-built theatre space for local groups and has been used by hundreds of people every year.

CATS Youth Theatre, which has more than 100 members, had the building as its permanent base, where they also rehearsed and stored sets and costumes which other groups made use of. It is unclear who the successful bidder is but Mr Cohen expects there to be a full refurbishment of the building.

Halliwell Theatre Company held its final production at the Harvey Street Methodist Church in March.