A CHAPEL that has sat within the Avebury stones since the 17th Century is in the final stages of being sold with villagers in the dark about its prospective buyer.

The listed building is the only Christian place of worship in Britain to be built in the centre of a prehistoric stone circle.

The news has been made public by a sign on the outside of the chapel placed by Perry Bishop and Chambers estate agents, who had run open viewings in March and April.

The sanctuary has a prime view of a section of the neolithic monuments which will be the setting for summer solstice celebrations taking place this evening (TUE) and at sunrise tomorrow.

But despite its prime location the chapel's congregation had dwindled to the point where it had no regular worshiping community and the building had deteriorated, leading the South Western Synod of the United Reform Church to consult locals over its future in 2015.

The dry rot was so bad an organist was reported to have fallen through the floor during a service in the 1980s.

Possible uses cited in an advertisement before the sale began included a community facility, visitor centre or cafe, or a residential property.

Parish councillor Jon Campbell has had no information about the prospective new owners but in a personal capacity is keen for the building to reprise its use as a community asset.

He said: "It's a shame to have it sat there lying empty. For me the priority is to make sure it's something that can benefit the community, especially with the influx of families into the village."

Parish Council Clerk Liz Moore was also waiting for news.

She said: "We will just have to wait and see what happens. From a parish council point of view the first thing we will know is when a planning application is tabled."

Raoul Hewitt, of the United Reform Church's Southwestern Synod, said: "We cannot comment at the moment, we are keeping it confidential until contracts have been exchanged."

Perry Bishop and Chambers said it was standard procedure not to reveal details of buyers in property transactions.

The chapel was formed in 1670 with pieces of the stones used to build its walls, according to conservationists

The doors were locked earlier this week as druids, drummers and tourists began to descend on the World Heritage Site for the solstice celebrations.