Shoppers flocked to an unusual New Year sale this week as the pulpit and pews from a church earmarked for renovation started to go under the hammer.

Victorian pews and the pulpit from Burley Methodist Church were put up for sale on Saturday and the majority of items were snapped up within minutes.

More than 30 people went to view the furnishings on sale when the church opened its doors to the public.

The church has more than 60 pews upstairs and downstairs and the lights, heaters and timbers are also for sale.

Organiser of the sale, Ron Grey said: "The day was really successful, we had a lot of interest. We have already sold 75 per cent of the furnishings and we only have the lights, infra red heaters and a few pews left.

"We didn't think the pews would sell as well as they have done, but they have proved very popular. A few of them have been bought by residents in Burley, so it's nice to know that part of the old church will be remaining in the village."

The actual pews and pulpit cannot be taken out of the church until the sale of the church hall has been agreed.

The removal of the fixtures and fittings will make way for the new state-of-the-art facilities set to be built at the church.

The pews will be replaced by removable seating downstairs which will give greater flexibility to the space available. A hall and various anti-rooms will be created in the upper gallery of the church.

The total cost of the work will amount to £460,000, with £120,000 already raised by the congregation. The remaining furnishings can be viewed for sale on Saturday 9am-noon at Burley Methodist Church, Main Street, Burley.

For more information contact (01943) 862345.