WORK is finally set to begin on a £550,000 church hall at a Blackburn place of worship -- after almost 20 years of dedicated fundraising.

The old hall at Trinity United Reformed Church, Brownhill Road, was built in 1929 as a temporary structure and has become costly to maintain.

But parishioners have now raised £550,000 through various fundraising activities for a new facility for the community.

A ceremony was held to celebrate the beginning of the new venture in which the first turf was cut and the main work will start at the end of May.

When the building is finished in November, the old hall will be demolished to make way for a new housing development.

The building work is to be carried out by Restored Developments which is based in Rossendale and currently has projects in Clitheroe, Blackburn and Burnley.

Minister Geoff Tally said: "This is a fulfilment of a dream of some years ago when the vision to build a new church hall was first thought about. Many people have worked hard raising the funds that were necessary and also on the design, of which we are very proud.

"The facility will allow the church to not only continue its work both as a church and part of the community, but will enable new work to be undertaken in a purpose built hall."

An open day to show off the new facility will be held once the work has been finished.