Cash row as centre sold

The Scotts Road building was commissioned and given to the Church of England by Black Country businessman James Foster, of Bradley Ironworks, in 1844 to set up a school for children from poor families.

It was run as St Thomas's National School until it became the Robin Woods Centre, which continued to provide an educational service and community base.

But the centre closed in 2004 and owners, the Diocese of Worcester, have now sold the building to Talbots Solicitors, in Stourbridge, which plans to turn it into offices.

But an anonymous descendant of benefactor Mr Foster has lodged an official claim to the proceeds of the sale, thought to be more than £300,000.

The claimant says the site had only been donated on the understanding it was used for educational purposes.

Robert Higham, diocesan secretary, said contracts had recently been exchanged but the claim was being investigated by lawyers.

"If successful the claimant may use some or all of the proceeds for charitable purposes and if unsuccessful the proceeds will be used to support Church of England Schools in the Diocese.

"The property was originally given to the church to be used for educational purposes only," he added.

Talbots Solicitors, which already has offices in Market Street and Hagley Road, is buying the centre with the intention of turning it into its third base in the town.

The centre was once a thriving Stourbridge community centre used by groups ranging from the George Formby Society to mother and toddler groups.

They were forced to move out after the Diocese of Worcester announced in 2003 that it had to sell the property in order to plough more money into local church schools.