The Vatican has ruled that a church in Conwy, north Wales must remain open following an appeal against its closure by parishioners.

St Michael and All Angels church celebrated its final Mass on 11th February 2018 after the Bishop of Wrexham declared its closure.

The decision by Bishop Peter Brignall was due to dwindling congregation numbers and a lack of priests in the area.

"Heartbroken" members of the congregation launched an appeal to the Congregation for the Clergy to keep the church open after arguing the site was financially viable and boasted a strong community. 

It has now been announced that the parishioners' appeal has been successful and the closure has been put on hold by Bishop Brignall.

Figures from the church in Wales revealed that up to ten churches a year are being closed down across the country. 

Statistics for 2007-2017 revealed eight per cent shut their doors for good during the decade.

A spokesperson for the Bishop of Wrexham told the BBC: "The intended permanent closure of the church cannot currently take place.

"The consequences of that decision have now to be considered by the bishop along with the parish priest, the presbyteral council of the diocese and the diocesan trustees, as well as the parish finance committee and pastoral council."