THE closure of one of Saltcoats' historic church buildings has been delayed.

However, the parish is still to unite with three others from across Ardrossan and Saltcoats by the end of the year.

Last month, we told how North Parish Church and St Cuthbert's Church in Saltcoats had asked to extend the time afforded to them before merging with Kirkgate and Park Church in Ardrossan.

The two buildings were due to be closed in December of this year as part of a wider mission plan for the presbytery area of Ardrossan - which covers the Three Towns, Kilwinning, West Kilbride and the Garnock Valley.

The decision made by the presbytery planning committee is to close the two Saltcoats church buildings and form one united charge for Ardrossan and Saltcoats.

It was requested that this union was delayed until January 1, to allow for one last advent period at the current buildings.

Plans have now allowed the united congregation, to be named "Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland", to form at this later date.

Though a further reprieve has been handed to the building at St Cuthbert's so that a feasibilty study can be considered to explore improving disability access at the church buildings which are to remain open.

This means that despite the union going ahead as planned in January, the historic building will remain open until July 2024.

It is understood that further discussion around these challenges will continue to take place later this year.