THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Preston Temple - Lancashire's newest landmark - has been completed after four years' work and opened its doors for the first time.

The temple, close to the M61 at Chorley, will be the focus for the church in the North of England and Scotland.

The location was chosen because Preston is the site of the oldest continuous branch of the church in the world, dating from 1837.

Church bosses are keeping tight-lipped about the cost of the building, although it is reputed to be up to £150 million, paid for by church members.

Elder Cecil Samuelson, Europe North Area President, said: "The really important thing is not what it cost but what it is worth."

More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the temple over the next fortnight during its "open house".

Once the temple has been dedicated, it will be closed to all except church members who have achieved a high moral standing.

Only in exceptional circumstances - for example, if emergency medical treatment was required for someone - would anyone else be allowed in. The temple will be run by temple president Ian Swanney and his wife, Anne.

Mr Swanney said initial concerns of local people about the presence of the temple seemed to have died down.

And he reassured locals that they would not be besieged by a flood of missionaries seeking to convert people, although missionaries will be trained at a centre in the temple complex.

"One of the fundamental principles of the gospel is that people are free to choose," he said.

The temple is constructed from Olympia white granite from Sardinia and has a floor area of 6,482 square metres. The total church site covers 15 acres.

Inside there are some 150 rooms, including chapels and a sealing room where couples and families are "sealed" to each other for eternity.

A baptismal font, supported by 12 stone oxen, will be used to perform baptisms of church members.

Around 50,000 Latter-Day Saints from all over the world are expected to use the temple every year.

Church members will be employed at the complex to work in areas such as maintenance and laundry.

Mr Swanney said: "We know that everybody won't agree with us. Some people think we are a bit nutty or extreme but you can't help what you feel."

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