A DERELICT church is dangerous and should be demolished, say councillors in Farnworth.

The Evangelical Baptist Church, off Market Street, has been empty and in a poor state of repair for years.

Local councillors say it would be too costly to renovate, leaving demolition the only answer.

Residents are also calling for action to prevent the listed building from becoming more rundown while its fate is decided. They say the church is falling to bits and could be a danger in high winds. Cllr Noel Spencer said: "The church is crumbling and pedestrians believe it is a hazard.

"The decision to make the church a listed building has put the brakes on any renovation ideas and killed the congregation's attempt to move on."

Cllr James Lord said: "The church is an eyesore and needs to be sorted out. It looks a right mess and sticks out because it's on the main thoroughfare through the town.:"

The church site is also attracting children who have been using it as a playground. Four years ago, church members asked to demolish the building and build a smaller church on the site.

But the move was blocked by planning chiefs at Bolton Council, who said the church made a significant contribution to the character of the area.

The church members have since bought the small gospel hall around the corner in Trafford Street to use as a temporary place of worship.

In 2003, a rescue package was put together to turn the church into houses or offices, but the scheme has failed to materialise.

The church was suggested as a possible site for security cameras overlooking the town park, which was last year plagued by vandals damaging the war memorial.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "If church members think the building is dangerous, they should take steps to eliminate the danger and then apply to the council for permission to demolish it. Just because they have been refused permission to demolish before does not mean that they can't apply again."