A row has broken out between a chapel congregation and members of the Vale of Clwyd Presbytery over the closure of their place of worship.

Salem Chapel in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd in Denbighshire closed earlier this year over spiralling running costs.

Worshippers tend the graveyard

It was estimated that up to �18,000 needed to be spent on refurbishment to meet safety regulations.

It was decided by committee members that the bill could not be met.

However, the row has forced the secretary of the Vale of Clwyd Presbytery to step down.

Reverend Morris Morris said he is on the side of the parishioners.

"I was the secretary when it happened but I resigned because I did not agree with the decision.

"In my opinion the rules of the committee were not met."

An appeal is now planned against the closure by chapelgoers who allege not enough was done to explore other options to keep the venue running.

One worshipper who did not wish to be identified said: "Many of us feel that the minority view has ruled the day.

"It is extremely sad that a place of worship where we have been all our lives has been taken away from us like this."

Another added: "The rules say that we should have been given 14 days notice before they took the vote.

Villagers have been told to worship in Ruthin

"That simply was not done and the Presbytery have not applied their own rules."

As a protest against the chapel closure, many worshippers attended a service at the village hall on Sunday.

They have been told that they would be welcome at Tabernacle Chapel in Ruthin but many are not prepared to travel.

They argue that they kept the chapel building and the cemetery in a tidy condition.

Previously they spent �2,000 from their own pockets on a redecoration programme.

If their appeal is rejected, Salem Chapel will be sold.