A NUMBER of popular community groups and clubs could be left homeless when two landmark halls are sold off by a cash-strapped church.

Cubs, Scouts, a weight loss club and various other local organisations face uncertain futures after Wanstead United Reformed Church announced plans to sell the buildings to raise money for urgent repairs.

Grove Hall, in Grosvenor Road, and Centenary Hall, in Nightingale Lane, are used by hundreds of people each month for a wide range of meetings and events - but they may be forced to find alternative venues when the two sites are eventually bought.

The church announced its plan to sell the halls last week - as reported by the Guardian - after deciding it was the only way to fund more than £750,000 worth of structural repairs to the main Grade II listed building.

The church's minister, Rev Rosalind Selby, told the Guardian that her preference was for the halls to be bought by a community group which would keep them open for public use - but refused to make any promises about their future.

She said: "We are obliged to sell the halls for the best terms, not just for the best price.

"My personal hope is that Grove Hall is bought by a community group but I don't have final control over that.

"We will try to support the groups which use the halls as much as possible.

"We need to talk to them about what we can do."

Rev Selby said the church had already received speculative offers for the halls, which they hope will raise more than £1 million when sold.

She said: "We have received enquiries.

"It's in the hands of the chartered surveyors who will be responsible for the sale."