With a bit of altar-ation, old churches could get new lease of life...

FANCY a property project with a difference?

How about transforming a church into the perfect home? Or community centre?

The Church of England is looking for buyers for five historic Greater Manchester buildings – at bargain prices.

New owners, however, must follow special guidelines set out by the church.

First off, buyers will have a few months to make sure the property is wind and watertight.

Green-fingered owners are warned not to plant trees or shrubs within three metres of buildings.

Graveyards, which are protected by the church, must not be disturbed or damaged.

Owners must allow access – if a written request is made – to those wishing to visit or tend graves.

If you were thinking of turning an old church into a wedding venue, there’s bad news. That isn’t allowed. Nor, unsurprisingly, is basing a criminal organisation there.

Some properties do come with permission to turn them into community centres, medical centres – and more.

With those rules in mind, take a look at five Church of England properties up for grabs in our region here.

A Church of England spokesman said: “Many of our church buildings are at the centre of their communities and as well as providing worship space, they are vibrant places providing a range of services to the people who live in the area.

“In some parts of the diocese there are more church buildings than the population can sustain and others are in poor physical condition.

“When this is the situation decisions have to be made about the future of buildings, and after consultation, some churches are closed.”