A CAMPAIGN to make a town centre church more accessible to the community is gathering pace.

Ferryhill Methodist Church wants to raise £210,000 to redesign the worship room, improve disabled services, create a kitchen and install a large glass front door.

The congregation wants to raise at least half the cash and secure grants from local and national bodies to meet any shortfall.

So far, £54,000 has been raised for the Building Together project and another £1,000 is needed to start the first phase of alterations.

Reverend John Bower said: "This project was first started in the late 1990s, but finding the momentum to keep raising money has been difficult.

"The plans have changed over the years, but now we feel we have plans that will not just be a cosmetic facelift.

"We think it will make a more effective space for worship and strengthen its role in the community. People need to feel it is their Methodist Church and feel able to come in and use its facilities.

"It is exciting to get closer to starting, but we still need more support to see the whole scheme through."

Circuit layworker Margaret Foxall is responsible for developing the church's role with children and families.

She sees the refurbishment as an opportunity to open the doors to more family activities, such as parent and toddler groups. Mrs Foxall said: "The steps need to be fitted with ramps. The kitchen will be improved so we can hold luncheon clubs or cater for bigger functions and the pews will be replaced with chairs."

The church hosted a flower festival, based on the theme Ferryhill Past and Present, at the weekend to help with the fundraising.

More than 150 people visited the church to see the displays and boost the campaign coffers.