The former Apostolic Church in Bye Street, a reminder of hard and crusading times in Victorian Ledbury, is up for sale and could go for as much as £60,000.

The timber-framed and corrugated tin building was opened on October 6, 1889.

It bears witness to the charitable work of Lady Henry Somerset, daughter of the last Earl Somers of Eastnor Castle.

Peter Garnett of the Ledbury and District Society Trust has carried out some research into the building, which in its heyday could seat 250 people.

Lady Somerset, who was born in 1851, was well known locally for organising soup kitchens to feed Ledbury's poor, and for her Christian stand against the evils of drink.

The church was opened originally as a "Mission Hall," until Lady Somerset handed it over to the Rector of Ledbury in 1892, for "church work".

In 1912, it was recorded as being an undenominational church. In 1932 it was called the Elim Hall, and was in the care of the Rev. H W Fielding of the "Church of the Four Square Gospel".

Offers for the property should be submitted in a sealed envelope to the Hereford-based estate agents, Sunderlands, by noon on Friday, May 26.

The guide price is £40,000 to £60,000.