THE historic bells of Preston Parish Church are set to ring out to herald the new Millennium as an innovative Christian project moves up a gear.

Parish Prospect Preston - a initiative aiming to improve the town centre churches and make them hubs of community life - will this weekend re-open St George's Church, Preston's so-called 'hidden gem', which is tucked away behind the St George's Centre.

The church has been transformed into an arts, education and entertainment centre but has maintained all the traditional architecture.

Once this weekend's services have been held, the church, which has cost £750,000 to renovate and includes a new church hall, will become a popular venue, hosting concerts and exhibitions as well as being used for educational purposes.

But as one mammoth task comes to an end, the people being Parish Prospect Preston are already planning their second task - improving St John's Parish Church, in Church Street.

Major improvements are expected to be carried out on the approach to church, including new floodlights which will be used to set the scene for the Millennium.

And the church bells will be heard once again to mark the 21st century after a long programme of restoration.

Father Martyn Griffiths, vicar of the Parish of Preston, said: "It is very exciting to have our vision of our churches restored to the heart of the community taking shape at last.

"We are planning to hold a special Millennium service on August 29, 2000, after which St John's will close for major restoration work."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.