WOODEN pews at an Unsworth church have finally been removed — 53 years after the idea was first put forward.

The benches, which could cater for up to 200 parishioners at St George’s Church in Hollins Lane, have now been replaced by 140 seats for 180 worshippers.

The work marks the final phase of improvements which have cost £70,000 since roof repairs were originally carried out a decade ago.

Church warden Maureen Hunter said: “The pews were taken out because we wanted to make the building more versatile as it is really only used for a couple of hours a week for services.

“The pews that have been removed were not the original ones, but were put in there during the early part of the 20th century.”

During the past few years, the church has been largely refurbished.

Roof repairs and interior decoration, combined with some cosmetic works, have been undertaken and the church had to raise the necessary money to fund the projects.

But it seems that original plans to “unseat” the pews were not acted upon when the congregation first discussed the possibility.

Mrs Hunter said that in 1956, the Bury Times printed an article detailing proposals that the church’s pews be replaced to make the building “more flexible”.

And in 1986, it was reported that the aisle was not wide enough for two people because of the pews.

The present St George’s Church was built in 1843, replacing a wooden hut which had served as a place of worship since 1729.