A PETITION to save Penarth's historic St Paul's church has gathered more than 150 signatures.

St Paul's, on Arcot Street, has been empty since Penarth Amateur Boxing Club was forced to leave the building on health and safety grounds in January 2011.

In a bid to save the church, Plaid Cymru candidates for this year's council election, Aled Thomas and Anne Greagsby have launched a petition to prevent the building becoming the site of new homes - as is being planned by the Vale council.

The council's vision for the church is a mix of affordable homes and "community facility". They are currently reviewing bids from social landlords.

Mr Thomas, who lives on Purcell Road, said he launched the petition because he believes the building needs to be preserved for community use.

"I launched the petition last week because I think the building should be saved," he said. "I would rather the building become a community hall ideally. To keep the originality of the building is of great important.

"Penarth thinks a lot of the church."

Julie Evans, who is a "passionate supporter" of the church, said she would welcome any restorative plan.

"The church must be saved," said Mrs Evans, "it's a beautiful looking building.

"Ideally I'd like to see it converted back into a church but I doubt this is possible. It is a part of Penarth and I wouldn't want to see it disappear."

Marcus Goldsworthy, of regeneration and planning for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “The council is presently reviewing bids submitted by registered social landlords (RSLs) to facilitate the delivery of a community facility, along with affordable homes, as part of a well-designed and sustainable mixed-use scheme at the location of St Paul’s Church.

Mr Goldsworthy said that the council had invited RSLs to put forward "imaginative proposals" for the site.

He added: “The preferred RSL and their scheme’s concept will be identified in due course, and the RSL will be expected to consult the local community regarding their proposals before submitting a planning application.

"The members of the local community who have signed the petition will therefore have the opportunity for their views to be considered.”

To view the petition, visit the website http://www.thepetitionsite.com/598/595/120/save-st-pauls-church-from-demolition/