A SOUTH East Cornwall church threatened with closure has been thrown a lifeline.

Local landowners the Latham family have offered £6,000 per year for the next three years to help keep St Torney’s at North Hill open.

But the offer is conditional on the community finding another £2,000 per year – and finding alternative uses for the building that enable it to become financially self-sufficient.

Parishioners had already rallied round the church, pledging money to help. At least 15 people responded to a request from the parochial church council for support.

Now a meeting has been called to discuss the next steps.

There is regular worship in the church, as well as a monthly communion service, but the congregation rarely exceeds 10.

Describing news of the offer from the Lathams as ‘exciting’, a ‘pleased and grateful’ Parochial Church Council now wants to form a committee to find alternative uses for the church.

‘The PCC are desperately seeking people with experience of our local community, fund- raising, grant applications, listed buildings, architecture and business consultancy.’

The meeting will be held at the church on August 25 at 7pm.