A CHURCH hall in the heart of Burnley has been reopened for business after a real team effort by a host of fundraisers.

Charity officials at the Veolia Environmental Trust donated the lion’s share of the £44,000 cost of the revamp for the Sion Baptist Church hall.

But church leaders have been busy securing support from a range of benefactors to renovate their well-used Church Street base.

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Not only was new double-glazing provided, a parquet floor overhauled and new curtain fitted for the stage and windows, but a new disabled lift has been installed and the heating system upgraded.

The Rev Andy Williams said: “It is fantastic to see the work complete and we are really looking forward to welcoming people.

“The refurbished community hall is now an excellent, centrally located facility for the community for performances, dancing, exercise classes, large meetings, and conferences.

“The improvements mean that more people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, can use the community hall.

“For instance, a member of the pantomime society uses a wheelchair and previously had to be carried up and down the steps.”

Actors and the supporting cast of the Sion Pantomime Society, which stages an annual family favourite, was integral to the effort, offering £5,000.

Congregation members stepped up to the plate with £8,000 through staging choir concerts, a garden party, a sponsored run, a Christmas meal, and providing catering and refreshments for several events.

Another £2,500 was received from the Bernard Sunley Foundation, a £1,000 from the Rank Foundation and £500 from Burnley Rotary, with both the church’s visually-impaired group and Age UK line dancers also making sizable contributions.

Part of the roof has also been repaired and some walls repointed, alongside a major redecoration effort.

Paul Taylor, executive director of the Veolia trust, added: “We support community and environmental projects across the UK and it is always great to hear about the opening of one we have helped.

“Community halls play a vital role in the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds and it is one of our priorities to support work to improve them.”

Other groups to regularly use the hall are New Era Nursery, Burnley Dance Centre, the Contempo Community Choir, Tae-bo, Burnley Camera Club, Grassroots and Arts on Prescription.