PLANS to close churches in Cleator Moor and Arlecdon have been put on hold after a final service was recently postponed.

The service, at St Michael’s Church in Arlecdon, was cancelled because a formal consultation into its closure is still ongoing and Church Commissioners, based in London, received “a representation against the closure”.

Richard Pratt, Archdeacon of West Cumberland, said there have 20 representations – letters which can be from anybody – the overwhelming majority of which are against the churches’ closure.

He will now speak to those who have made representations to gain a better understanding of their viewpoints, a process which he says could take “quite a bit of time”.

He added: “The representations are now considered by the Commissioners, which means that the planned final services are postponed during that consideration, to allow time for it, and in case the decision is against closure.

A spokesman for the Church Commissioners said it was not clear exactly how long the consultation would take.

He added: “I can confirm that work is on-going on the diocese’s scheme and that there have been responses to the scheme both for and against.”

St John’s in Cleator Moor and St Michael’s in Arlecdon held their final regular services in June last year.

The Church Commissioners have now prepared a draft proposal to formally agree to their closure for regular public worship.

Members of the public could comment on the proposal in writing, but the deadline has passed.

Copies of the scheme can be viewed at www.ccpastoral.org or in person at St John’s, St Michael’s, St Leonard’s (Cleator), St Paul’s (Frizington), Arlecdon Post Office and Cleator Moor Library.