A landmark church is on the move - 30 yards to the left.

Work starts on Tuesday to dismantle the white wooden church of St James's in Baildon and shift it a short distance from where it has stood since 1905.

Church officials have sold the land for almost £500,000 and will use the money to pay for the Grade II listed building's revamp.

Ten new houses will go up on the old site, which has been bought by a Pudsey developer.

Until the new church is ready, which could take up to ten months, neighbouring car parts factory Denso Marston has loaned out its boardroom for weekly worship.

Otley firm Harrisons moves on to the site on Tuesday and will start by demolishing the church hall.

Church warden Joan Edbury said the only difference to the re-sited Scandinavian-style church would be a new hall built on to it at the back, housing a meeting room, toilets and a kitchen. Extra parking spaces will also be created.

Funds from the sale will also pay for a commissioned wall hanging.

In 1999, the Telegraph & Argus reported how the church was threatened with closure unless emergency funds could be found to save it and pay for its yearly upkeep of several thousands of pounds.

The church was carried from Essex to Yorkshire on a traction engine in 1905, and churchgoers believe it was brought in sections to the town by a clergyman who was planning to retire in Baildon but died before it arrived.

St James's became a daughter' church of the parish church St John's and during the 1990s its members raised thousands of pounds to treat wet rot and keep the wooden structure sound.

Originally, planners received 14 letters from objectors who feared the church would not be able to withstand being rebuilt because it was in such a bad state but its supporters won the day and got planning permission.

The Ancient Monuments Society also gave its blessing to see St James's dismantled and moved, and have an extension added to it.

Mrs Edbury said: "There was only one alternative to selling the land and that was for us to close the church - we didn't want to do that. This project has taken years and lots of hard work by our vicar, the Reverend John Knowles, the wardens and parochial Church Council. We're thrilled we're on the move at last."

The new' church will be sealed with a white stain which means it will never have to be re-painted again.

Mrs Edbury said: "We're lucky Denso Marston offered us the boardroom and facilities rent-free so we can keep up worship while the move is happening. We set up our cross, take along our hymn books and sit round the big board table. Our prayers have been answered."