A CHURCH created from an industrial unit - previously used by a packaging firm - marked its official opening with an "open house" and an evening celebration.

Harold Hoggarth, who founded the Bacup Christian Fellowship in 1971, was due to open its new worship centre in Park Road, Bacup, on Saturday but was unable to make it.

His place was taken by the church's second pastor, Harry Rothwell, who served from 1974-77.

The congregation moved from their previous cramped conditions in a hut in South Street to the refurbished unit at the beginning of the month.

Around 150 people took the opportunity to see the transformation during the open day and the evening celebration led by a Christian worship group from Wigan.

The current pastor Glenn Scott said: "We invited members of other churches in the town and the public to come along and see how we've turned the industrial unit into a church."

Mr Scott, who took over at the church 12 months ago, was brought up in Waterfoot and went to Water Primary and Fearns High schools. He is the son of Lillian Scott who led the work of the Salvation Army in Waterfoot for many years.

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