THE in-out saga of a Dorchester church is set for another twist as town centre developer Simons offers it a new site - where it has been standing for the past 100 years.

Acland Road Evangelical Church owns the land it stands on within the Charles Street car park earmarked by West Dorset District Council for development as shops and houses.

Simons Developers - which wants to demolish the church to carry out the development - had originally suggested creating a new church on another part of the site.

But that fell through as plans started to shape up and the developer stated the need for best value from the scheme would rule out a church building.

Now Simons has come up with a fresh offer to include a church within the proposed range of shops and homes, car parking, new public lavatories and a new public library.

And they suggest putting it on the same site where the existing church has stood for more than 100 years.

The proposal came following a meeting between Simons and the church trustees and advisers.

Mark Lewis, who is Simons' development director, said: "We understand the church is prepared to consider a position on site if an acceptable option that meets their criteria can be found.

"Following the regrettable need to withdraw the previous offer, we have been doing our best to find a satisfactory and viable solution.

"In our recent meeting we presented a proposal that offers the church a larger facility within the structure of the development, in approximately the same location as the existing church.

"There are some advantages with this option in relation to the previous proposal as the location makes it possible to offer a slightly larger ground floor area and a better internal arrangement.

"But it does mean that the church would need to move to temporary premises during the archaeological dig and construction period. We know this is not ideal but we would work with the church to find suitable provision and Simons would pay for the cost of temporary premises."

Mr Lewis said the company would like the church to remain on site but appreciated that the trustees might prefer to look off-site in collaboration with Simons or by a financial settlement that the church could use in any way.

Tony Foot, agent for the church, said: "The latest option is being considered. The trustees will discuss it thoroughly and give their response."