A COMMUNITY gathered together to say goodbye to an iconic Worcester church which is set to be demolished.

Schoolchildren and residents attended a service at Holy Trinity and St Matthew's Church, which has been at the centre of Ronkswood life for almost 50 years.

Contractors will arrive on Monday (November 17) to begin knocking down the church, known affectionately as 'The Drum'.

Youngsters from Perry Wood Primary School paid their respects at the event on Wednesday.

The church has been closed since December 2012 when part of its ceiling fell down and the Parochial Church Council announced it had “come to the end of its useful and sustainable working life”.

Church warden Brian Coley, aged 71, has lived in Ronkswood for 65 years and remembers the church site when it was empty.

He said the state of the church building, which dates back to 1965, means it needed to be knocked down.

The building was plagued by boiler failures, condensation and leaks.

Mr Coley said: "It was a sad decision but we had a good remembrance event and it was nice the school took part.

"People remembered what has gone on there over the years - the weddings, christenings and so on.

"It was a goodbye to the building, and the church which is at the centre of the estate and a big part of the community.

"We've always been very community minded.

"A lot of people are sad but have supported us."

Reverend George Davis said: "It was a fantastic send off and we had more than 100 people there which was good.

"Obviously it was a sad time as well as being a happy one, but it's the beginning of the next phase of the journey.

"I'm happy as I know a lot of people have worked incredibly hard to get to this point."

Plans are being mooted for a new multi-purpose building on the site, which will be revealed in the near future.

Half of the church site will be sold to Fortis Living, while the diocese will retain the other half where a new church will be built.