A BISHOP has received sinister threats following a row over plans to close an historic Accrington church.

The Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard, received a "very unpleasant" phone call from an anonymous woman over the closure of St John's Church, which is also home to the famous Accrington Pals Chapel.

The threatening message was left on the Bishop's answer phone at his offices at Dean House, Burnley.

It advised him to wear "protective clothing" before his appearance at an open day held at the Addison Street church on Saturday.

He said: "The call was unpleasant and it was clear that the person's intentions were threatening, but I have not reported it to the police.

"I can understand that people are very hurt and upset at the thought of closing this historic church where they have been nurtured.

"However, I support the decision as it would have cost around £300,000 to repair it, money which is just not available.

"It may be that the person made the call when she was angry and if she would like to ring again I will happily discuss the matter with her."

About 200 people attended Saturday's open day which was intended to give people the chance to have a last look around the building and remember the happy times they had spent there.

Helen Barrett, secretary of the Parochial Church Council, said: "We saw many people who had not been there for a long time. It was like a walk down memory lane for many people.

"So many people have said they can't believe such a magnificent building is having to close down. There is a lot of ill-will about the decision and we are all hoping even now that a better solution can be found."

But the Parochial Church Council, which is the church's governing body, will not meet again until 5 September.

A campaigner to save the church, Leigh Redmayne, went along with a former headmistress of St John's School, Miss Edna Riley, who taught at the school for over 40 years and has been a parishioner for 90 years.

Leigh, of Burnley Road, Accrington, said: "She was hoping for answers from the clergy present but left none the wiser. The Bishop lambasted unseen foes for threats to his health and rather changed the tone of the day.

"Many members of the PCC are rather energetically trying to save the church and one of the churchwardens was good enough to show me the extensive restoration work it has already done and continues to try and do.

"On leaving the church I filled in a Save the Church leaflet and left in a much happier mood.

"The vicar seems sure that the church will close but it's not the feeling I got."