A FORMER Preston school is about to become a Hindu community centre in a £3.28 million transformation.

The project will turn the old St Stephen's Primary, in South Meadow Lane, into a purpose-built centre for the Gujarat Hindu Society.

Plans include facilities for a luncheon club, recreation activities, education and training and a new temple.

The society has attracted £1.64 million from the Millennium Commission, £150,000 from English Partnerships and contributions from the local community.

The society has used the school as a community centre since the last students left in the early 1970s.

But when the building began to fall into disrepair, the society began campaigning for cash.

Ishwer Tailor, society president, said: "We are delighted by the support given to us by English Partnerships and the Millennium Commission.

"We are confident that this will help us towards achieving our Millennium vision.

"The modern facilities will be enjoyed by the whole community. We are also grateful to Enterprise Plc for the assistance in making the application."

Mark Phillips, English Partnerships' senior development manager, said: "By investing in this project, we will enable the Gujarat Hindu Society to replace, update and expand a much-used facility which serves a wide part of the region."

Work on the building is now under way and the building is set to be completed in November next year.

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