A CENTURIES old parish church in County Durham could be transformed into a local history museum and gallery space.

Heritage enthusiasts investigating ways to conserve the building and make it more accessible to the wider community have put forward the suggestions for Saint Edmund's Church, in Sedgefield.

If the idea gets support from church authorities, the Grade I listed building will provide a platform for artists and photographers in the area and could be used to display documents and artefacts collected by members of the local history group.

Ron Eyley, a member of Inspired Futures, which was tasked with looking at ways to extend the church's use, said: "It's a major step forward for the community.

"The idea is to provide facilities we have never had before and to make greater use of an old building."

The Rector, the Rev Michael Gobbett described the plans as "really exciting" and said more suggestions would be welcome.

He also reassured church-goers that Saint Edmund's would remain a centre of Christian worship and related activities.

Local history group treasurer Alison Hodgson welcomed the possibility of using the church as a museum.

"We have a wealth of information about the area and it should be readily available to townspeople and visitors," she said. "It is a valuable collection and needs to be preserved for future generations.”

It is expected that the museum would be housed in the north transept while the exhibition space would be situated at the rear of the church.

Churchwarden Brian Mutch said all suggestions would be considered and then forwarded to the Church Council.

It is hoped a decision will be made this year.