The lease on the Mill Dam building was due to run out today, but after a Gazette campaign, directors in London gave the centre a 12-month reprieve.

The site will still shut its doors, with operations moved down to Tyne Dock, but a task force will be set up to come up with ideas on how to run the centre independently.

Mr Miliband and the Rt Rev Mark Bryant met with committee members, Mission staff, Mayor John Anglin and other to discuss what the future holds.

Mr Bryant, said: "It's now all about have a creative conversation between local people and the Mission to Seafarers.

"We're trying to stay positive, and we're looking for the way forward. One thing remains clear, the Mission is committed to providing ministry to current and former seafarers.

"There are all sorts of ideas on the table, and we'll be considering them all."

Mr Miliband said: "This is a seafaring town and the Mission is an important resource for the community, and the 7,000 people who signed the petition to save it shows the level of support locally.

"We've now got 12 months to investigate the possibilities for this centre, and we must think hard about how we can make this work.

"All credit to the Gazette for organising the campaign, which helped make a real difference."

The lease on the Mill Dam building, including the chapel, was due to be signed back over to Nomad E5 today.

Instead, it will now run for another 12 months, with all fixtures, fittings, equipment, the hundreds of treasured remembrance plaques remaining in place, and the chapel untouched.

During a consultation period, the building will remain closed, including the Flying Angel Cellar Bar.

If a workable business plan is put forward, the Mill Dam building could be run as a community project for current and former seamen in the borough.

The Mission to Seafarers' operations in South Shields will still move to a mobile ministry at Tyne Dock, with one member of staff, welfare officer Diane Erskine, based there.

The chances of the building remaining at the heart of the community could depend on a team of volunteers being found to run it.