A CHURCH'S magnificent new look got the seal of approval from the person who knows it better than most.

Sprightly Annie Mary Riley, 97, has been a parishioner of St James' Church, Haslingden, for more than 90 years.

Yesterday Mrs Riley cut the red ribbon to officially open the new community centre section of the church.

The vicar, the Rev Roger Smith, presented Mrs Riley with a bouquet of flowers and she got a cheer from the parishioners who had gathered to take a look at the beautifully restored building.

Mrs Riley said: "It looks right posh. The new community centre will be lovely for the whole community so that everyone to get together and have a chat."

St James' Church was badly damaged after an arson attack in 1998. One of the church porches was gutted in the blaze and the whole church was smoke damaged.

But the fire inspired parishioners to give their church a £300,000 revamp for the new millennium.

Mr Smith said: "Mrs Riley has worshipped here for more than 90 years and it is absolutely right that she should open our new hall.

"We have got funding from grants, the local community, the sale of the church hall, and the diocese. The fire inspired us and the centre will be available for the whole community, just like the church."

The back pews of the church have been removed and the area has been separated by windows that give a view into the carefully restored church. The whole church and altar had to be cleaned and restored after the fire and the massive church organ had to be painstakingly pulled part and sent away to be cleaned and repaired. Parishioners worshipped in nearby St James' School while the refurbishment work was done, but they all agreed the end result was worth the wait.

Last night the Bishop of Blackburn blessed the church at a special service attended by the Archdeacon of Blackburn, the Mayors of Rossendale and Hyndburn and Greg Pope MP.

The full transformation has not finished and it is hoped the upstairs gallery will also be refurbished to create an exhibition area.

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