THE Salvation Army is to temporarily wind up activities at its Seven Brooks Centre and is planning to restart from scratch in June.

Divisional leaders feel a new approach is needed in the area and they are taking time out to reflect on the position of the Atherton and Tyldesley Corps which merged three years ago in Atherton when the 112-years -old Lime Street, Tyldesley, hall was closed down.

Current members of the congregation will be welcomed at Leigh and Wigan, or other established churches, while new plans are considered.

The second upheaval has caused upset among members who remained loyal when the Tyldesley hall moved to newer premises in Atherton in March 2001.

At the time many members refused to move and joined Tyldesley Methodist Church.

A spokesperson said: "They made a bad decision when they closed Tyldesley and have created a lot of upset over the years."

Divisional commander Major Chick Yuill said: "The Salvation Army has taken a careful and considered decision to temporarily conclude our activities at Seven Brooks. This decision was taken looking at a wide spectrum of factors.

"The Salvation Army has at its core a desire to support and be available to the local community. It was felt we needed a fresh approach in the area. By starting again we feel we would be able to build a congregation and create a ministry that will effectively serve the local community.

"We are taking time to reflect on our position and in June we will start to implement a new focus bringing in new officers to the area with the desire to be in and serve the local community.

"We pay tribute to the work done by Captains Richard and Andrea Cozens in a very challenging situation over the past three years. We also thank the congregations at Seven Brooks for their faithful service and the gracious manner in which they have received this news."

"The two captains will take on new projects within the region until they are re-posted in June."