A VILLAGE church will have to close if it can't pay its way.

Flockton Parish Church members, like many others in the Wakefield diocese, are finding it hard to meet their cash commitments.

And unless new members join the congregation at St James's, the problems will deepen.

Donations from congregations in the Flockton parish currently pay for all church maintenance, running costs and diocese contributions.

St James's Church has to find £330 each week to run the church.

However, the small congregation - most of whom are pensioners - puts only about £100 a week in the collection plate.

The remainder comes from working parishioners who pay contributions by standing order, other donations, fundraising events and legacies.

Laurie Brookes, assistant curate at St James's, said: "At the end of a year we may find we have £50 left. That is how close we are to being in difficulty.

"You can get by on the bare minimum for a while but after a while there are serious maintenance costs. There is always something."

Mr Brookes said Flockton parish has always met its payment to the diocese.

But if they could not meet it, the diocese would give them two years' grace before having to ask them to consider worshipping elsewhere.

The church building would then be sold off.

Mr Brookes appealed through the Flockton parish newsletter for new members and argued the importance of keeping the building.

He said although the congregation could worship anywhere, the building added a special atmosphere and was enjoyed by people who do not attend church regularly.

Mr Brookes said: "The article was not aimed at the existing congregation. There are about 30 people, hardly any under the age of 40, and they are keeping the church open.

"But I can't see how many more generations it will stay open for.

"There are so many people in the parish that don't come to church, but would be devastated if it was not there. They want the building and the services such as weddings and funerals."

Mr Brooke said there were people in Flockton who travelled to other areas to worship.

He said: "We would like these people to give us a try. New people are the only way we will stay open."