RODBOURNE'S century-old Methodist church has been reduced to rubble.

Demolition workers have been on site for weeks, but when the end came it was over in a matter of hours.

Rodbourne Road was closed from 6am to 9am on Saturday as workers used heavy machinery to push down the front of the building.

Today they were still at work salvaging some of the brickwork and removing the rest of the rubble.

Church authorities decided to demolish the building because it was proving too costly to maintain.

They have moved services next door to the church hall, which was built in the 1950s and is being refurbished.

Reverend Janet Evans said: "When I saw it in rubble I felt quite hollow for a moment.

"To have actually destroyed that building, it makes you think of all the good things that might have happened there down the years.

"There's been some sadness to see the old building passing but people were very keen to get on with it once the decision had been made."

The site of the old church is to be turned into a car park.

If you have any memories of Rodbourne Methodist Church you would like to share, write to the Editor, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE