RESIDENTS in a Newport community are fighting to save a fourteenth-century church from being sold privately.

Whitson church in Porton Lane, Whitson, is a Grade Two Star listed building, known to date back to the 1300s with parts of it dating back to Norman times.

It has been empty for three years, and local people have been trying to save it for community use.

But the Church in Wales recently put the building up for sale through estate agents Newland Rennie Wilkins.

John Small, chairman of Whitson community council, called the building an important part of the history and heritage of the Gwent levels.

He said: "We put forward that we would like to make it a heritage centre to save it for future generations.

"We are in discussions with various organisations, including the Church in Wales. We are trying to come to some agreement as to how we can get it off them.

"Really it's too important a building to change into anything else."

Newport Civic Society is also taking an interest in the building.

Its planning officer Michael Francis said: "We would grieve if the building was lost, particularly for commercial use.

"The views of local people should be considered. We think a cultural centre should be established in the building."

As a Grade Two Star listed building, the church is "a particularly important building of more than special interest" and one step below a Grade one listing.

No-one was available from the Church in Wales for comment, but a spokesman for Newland Rennie Wilkins confirmed they are marketing the building on behalf of the Church for sale in its current condition.