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Church closes for Christmas over asbestos fears

A church is set have a Silent Night over Christmas after it was forced to close because of health and safety fears over its organ.

St James Church in Swansea had lined up a host of festive services planned but is temporarily closing after asbestos was found in the organ.

St James' Church will be closed over the festive period. Credit: St James' Church

Asbestos has been found in the church organ, which has not been used for some time.

The vicar and church wardens have been advised by an experienced building surveyor that the church building should not be used pending further investigation.

Such investigation may well prove that the continued use of the church would have been safe.

However, this is a necessary precautionary measure at this stage of investigation.

The matter is being addressed urgently.

– St James' Church spokeperson

Sunday services will be held in the Parish Centre until the church reopens.

According to the Health and Safety Executive asbestos still kills around 5000 people each year which is higher than the amount of people killed on the road.