Following a major refurbishment programme over the past five months, Hoole Baptist Church is set to open the church building as a centre for the community.

The Hoole Lighthouse Centre will host the many community projects that the congregation runs.

Rose Uitterdijk, the Lightouse Centre coordinator said "The changes to the building will now mean that we can provide the community of Hoole with a range of programmes that support many aspects of family and community life.

"These programmes such as youth clubs, youth cafes and parent and toddler groups reflect co9mmunity needs as expressed through local surveys and research by Cheshire County Council".

The congregation has raised just under £300,000 towards the cost of the work and the purchase of a property next to the church building.

The project has also been supported by the Waste Recycling Group plc, who donated £50,000.

The official opening of the building, which will be attended by a number of city leaders, will be held on Saturday 11 January from 2pm to 4pm, with the ribbon cutting taking place at 2:30pm.  

Andy Glover, Minister of Hoole Baptist Church said "It has been our dream for the past five years to be able to give our community a building in which we can serve them with a range of projects".

The centre will be staffed primarily by volunteers from the congregation, with two members of staff employed to support the work.