A NEW arts and crafts centre at a Haslingden church is nearing completion.

Prospect St James in the gallery at St James Church, Regent Street, should be ready by next month and is the latest step towards establishing a centre for all the community.

It will also act as a focus for craftspeople and artists to meet and display their work.

The £42,000 gallery project is part of a huge £200,000 investment at the church and community hall for a multi-purpose centre that will be open all day for everyone.

Catering facilities for 80 are in place and the nave has already been the setting for drama productions.

Parishioners and contractors have been working hard on transforming the gallery's large upstairs areas, unused for many years, into a suitable setting for artists, craftspeople and visitors.

Disabled facilities including a lift and toilets are included in the programme of alterations.

Action for Haslingden Partnership has provided £15,000 towards the scheme which is also funded by the Diocese and by friends of St James Haslingden.

The vicar, the Rev Roger Smith, said: "We are developing the gallery and the rest of the church for everyone as a community facility.

"We want to have the community centre open all the time as well as the church used for worship."