A Cottingley church visited by Prince Charles is to be razed to the ground after being condemned as a dangerous building.

Work will begin on Monday to demolish St Michael and All Angels Church after a sudden deterioration in the roof which caused two major supporting beams to rot.

The Littlelands building was condemned by structural engineers. And the vicar, the Reverend Sue Pinnington, came to a joint decision with wardens, an architect and the engineers to knock it down.

But, despite the initial tears, Miss Pinnington said it marked a new beginning.

'This event brings forward and gives impetus to the planning for the Cottingley Cornerstones Project and the rebuilding of St Michael's," she said.

Plans are being drawn up for a new church which will also include a multi-use hall, meeting rooms, a computer suite, a cafe and an advice centre.

The Telegraph & Argus reported in February how Prince Charles praised the new project in a special message to the community.

The Prince was greeted by a huge crowd when he came to Cottingley last summer to mark the rededication of the war memorial which was restored after being vandalised.

While the three-week demolition is carried out, Sunday services will be held in the church hall which will not be pulled down. Weekday services will be in the foyer.

Miss Pinnington, who has served in Cottingley for three years, said there had been problems with the roof since the church was built in 1968.

"Because it is a counter-balanced design, if one part becomes unstable it affects the whole roof and there is no permanent option to save the building," she said.

Martin Wraith, the first warden when the church moved to Littlelands from a site next to the Sun Inn in Cottingley New Road, said it marked the end of a happy era.

"I have fond memories of the church and enjoyed my time as warden," he said.

On Sunday villagers and worshippers who moved away are invited to a Eucharist of Thanksgiving at 9.30am in the church hall. There will be no mid-week services during August but all other activities will be held in the church hall.