"HEARTFELT tributes" have been paid to staff at the United Reformed Church's Windermere Centre, which closes today (Thursday).

For 30 years the converted manse, at Lake Road, was dedicated to offering residential training courses for lay people from churches across the UK.

The URC's Mission Council heard the venue had struggled to secure enough users to be financially viable, and decided to shut the doors after "long and difficult deliberations".

The church said it was "with regret" that six people had lost their jobs. The "loyal and dedicated staff team" is to be offered "practical and pastoral support at this time of change and loss," a thanksgiving service is to be arranged.