ST Andrew's Parish Church in Farnham has defended its decision to sell a little-used but much-loved community church in Old Compton Lane.

The 423 square foot St Mary's Church was built in the mid-1800s by LF Bateman of Moor Park House as a school for the children of his estate workers.

According to the Church Property Record it was sold to the parish of Farnham in 1913/14 "for the benefit of Compton residents" and subsequently became a centre for religious worship.

However, St Mary's congregation has dwindled in recent years and St Andrew's says it can no longer justify the building's high maintenance costs.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.