AT A TIME when dwindling congregations are forcing many churches to close, one has bucked the trend by opening a £200,000 extension to house its growing flock.

The Christian Life Centre, in Woodham, has reopened after adding a 350-seat auditorium, kitchen, function room and extended car park.

The extra space will help house an ever expanding number of worshippers and social groups connected to the church.

A few years ago, the centre bought a disused pharmacy and a neighbouring building in Woodham Village, to house a pre-school group.

Elsewhere in Newton Aycliffe, a popular youth group meets regularly, where people can train for youth leadership qualifications.

When it became clear they were quickly running out of space, worshippers made several attempts to relocate from the site they have used since 1987.

In October 2000, an unsuccessful bid was made to move into a former factory on the Aycliffe Industrial estate.

Sedgefield Borough Council turned down the plans on the grounds that it was not the correct use for prime industrial land.

The decision was taken to extend the building.

Pastor John Greenow said he thought the church's success was down to the way it appealed to all ages, groups and sectors of society.

"We are expanding all the time," he said. "We believe the church should be relevant and alive, serving the community, so we attract people of all aged from kids to old people.

"At our church there is plenty of good quality, lively music from gospel music, bands, choirs, and preaching that is relevant to today. So we are just reaching out into the community. We are not just building for the sake of building."

The congregation has spent six months meeting at Greenfield School Community and Arts College and Redworth Hall Hotel while work on the church was carried out.

On Friday night, they returned to the church for a re-opening ceremony attended by local dignitaries.

It was followed by a weekend of celebrations with speakers from across the country to take part.

For more information, telephone the Christian Life Centre on (01325) 301760