St John the Evangelist church

in Coleford will close for good because church elders cannot afford the £1.8 million repair bill.

The Parochial Church Council wants to build a new church to replace the Grade II listed building which dates back to 1878.

Church leaders mothballed the landmark building for the winter because it did not meet safety standards.

But the Rev Sarah Bick said it will not re-open at Easter as originally planned because they had run out of options.

Full story in the Forester