THE Mayor of Ribble Valley, councillor Joyce Holgate, was among dignitaries who attended the dedication of a new methodist church at Chatburn.

Architect Mike Bennett of Leyland firm Bennett and Brown formerly handed over the building to the Rev Chris Cheesman, superintendent of the Clitheroe circuit.

A service was led by Rev Amos Creswell, a former head of the methodist conference, who began his ministry at Chatburn in 1949. Current Chatburn minister Rev Stephen Foster made scripture readings with acting chairman of the North Lancashire District of the Methodist Church, Rev Tony Farrar.

Rev Jones, Chatburn minister from 1976-1981, preached the sermon and said he was pleased to see the opening of the new building.

Rev Cheesman thanked everyone who had helped make the new building possible, but said there were still many thousands of pounds to be raised. A collection held at the opening raised more than £800 for the building fund with a further £300 raised at the first Sunday service.