PULLING up a real pew at home could soon be on the cards for residents across the town.

St Barnabas Church in Gorse Hill is selling off about 30 wooden pews to make way for 130 upholstered chairs which are arriving in a few weeks time.

The 80-year-old pews, which are being replaced by upholstered chairs because they are more comfortable and can be moved around the church, are being sold for just £40 each.

The Reverend Canon Alastair Stevenson, who has been at St Barnabas for 14 years, said: “We were finding the church with its pews was stifling us in what we could actually do with the space.

“They are getting old and uncomfortable at times. You can get a lot of people on a pew but we felt if we could clear the space we could use it for so many more events. The plan is to make it available for the community.

“We have got to get rid of all the pews. They are all different styles and various sizes. Buyers are to arrange their own transport.

“The wood is well seasoned, the pews are about 80 years old, they are not from the original building which is 125 years old. That had chairs originally so we have gone full circle. These new chairs are very comfortable.”

The church applied for permission to replace the pews in January and was given the go-ahead from the Bristol Diocese this week.

They put together a proposal earlier this year which included their reasons and they displayed their plans on the noticeboard for 28 days so people could object if they did not like the idea.

“Nobody objected. They are upholstered chairs in red which matches the platform area. It will give a warm glow to the whole place.

“The chairs are individual but they link together for safety. They are independent and can be put in different configurations. We can use the space for exhibitions and coffee mornings.

“It will be more suited for a church at the centre of the community in the 21st century.”

The replacement chairs, which the church placed an order for yesterday, cost £65 each and it is hoping people will sponsor the new chairs to help fund the £8,450 project.

“People can sponsor a chair for a loved one or for a marriage or something good that has happened in their lives. We are going to have a book of memorial and thanksgiving. They will be a very fitting and lasting tribute.”

Pews are also available from St Augustine’s Church in Even Swindon.

Anyone interested in buying a pew should contact church warden, Judith Garratt, on 07745 216094.