A GROUP campaigning to keep a Coleford church open travelled to London hoping to put its case to a hearing.

But the representatives of the Friends of St John’s walked out of the meeting with the Church Commissioners and the Diocese of Gloucester claiming that vital documents had not be made available.

The meeting was called to discuss the diocese’s intention to close the Victorian church.

A spokesman for the Friends said: “Eight reports were missing from the bundle of evidence issued by the commission for the hearing.

“They included the architect’s report which gives the only official verification of the repairs needed on the church.

“One of the missing documents was a requirement under the statutory regulations of the Church of England’s code of practice so we refused to participate any further in the meeting.”

The commission agreed to adjourn the meeting, a move the Friends describe as granting a stay of execution.

“We will get another chance to put our case but with the proper documents.”

The Friends claim without the missing documents, the Church Commissioners would have had to have depended upon an ‘exorbitant’ estimate of some £1.5 million for repairs.

The group has collected more than 1,200 signatures on a petition calling for the church to be re-opened.

The petition states that signatories object to the scheme to close and demolish St John’s.

It adds: “This church is a beacon of the life in our community which was not consulted about its future.

“We call upon the Commissioners of the Church of England to maintain St John’s as a place of worship.”

The spokesman added: “The people who want to keep it open are all from Coleford. This is a church that would be much missed.”

The campaign to keep the church open also has the backing of Coleford Town Council.

In a letter to the Church Commissioners the council expressed concern at the level of consultation.

The petition is still available to sign and can be found in most of the shops in Coleford market place.

The Review did approach the Diocese of Gloucester for a comment.