PLANS for a new community centre at a Rossendale church are set to be unveiled next week.

Weir Baptist Church needs to raise £300,000 to develop a building on the site of the former Doals Church, in Burnley Road, which was demolished in 1996 after it was found to have dry rot.

More than £100,000 has already been raised and parishioners are hoping to build a community centre to provide a facility for social activities in the village.

The main multi-purpose hall is being planned to seat 120 people with three toilets, including a disabled toilet; a second meeting room, with foyer and coffee area, a kitchen, creche and pastor's church office and storage.

It is hoped it will provide a home for regular events, such as coffee mornings, a luncheon club, a youth club, as well as entertainment, aerobics and fitness.

It will also accommodate Sure Start family groups, a parent and toddler group, mobile social services, Rossendale College courses and many other activities to benefit the community.

The Rev Neil Hepworth, who has organised the public meeting, said: "No-one can provide these services until there is a building in which to house them.

"The aim of this public meeting is to share with people what we are planning, discuss any concerns, and to demonstrate the local support for the project.

"There will be a chance to see an artist's impression of the centre will look like, as well as outline specifications."

For many years the village has had no church, although groups continued to meet in people's houses. The Baptists were then invited to use Weir Hotel as a meeting point last year before moving to Northern Primary School.

The meeting is on Friday, January 16, from 7.30pm, in Northern Primary School's main hall.

Anybody wanting more information should contact Rev Hepworth on 01706 877883.