THE charity group campaigning to save a historic village church from demolition is set to change its name.

SOS Save Our Spire, a group trying to prevent Birch Church from being knocked down, is changing its name to Birch InSpire. 

The group has been campaigning against the demolition of the Church of St Peter and St Paul’s, which was constructed in the 1850s but has sat empty for 33 years. 

A spokesman for the charity revealed the news, saying: "We are delighted to announce the charity organisation we shall be forming to try to save part of Birch Church will be called Birch InSpire."

Due to its deteriorating condition, the Diocese of Chelmsford is planning to tear down the Grade II listed building.

It will then be replaced with a memorial garden.

The decision to demolish the church has been long disputed by residents and in the past campaigns have been staged to try to save the church.

Silent protests, hundreds of protest boards, Diocesean meetings and talks with Dame Priti Patel have all been a part of the campaigner's journey to save the icon of the Birch village.