PLANS for Weir Baptist Church's new building are set to be unveiled at a special meeting in the New Year.

Members of the church have seen funds swell to £102,000 through a number of community fundraisers and various grants over the past year.

The church needs to raise £300,000 to develop a building on the site of the former Doals Church in Burnley Road, which was demolished in 1996 after it was found to have dry rot.

Parishioners are hoping to build a community centre to provide a facility for social activities in the village.

The main multi-purpose hall is being planned to seat 120 people with three toilets - including a disabled toilet - a second meeting room, foyer/coffee area, kitchen, creche and pastor's church office and storage.

It is hoped the community centre will provide a home for regular events to be held, such as coffee mornings, a luncheon club, a youth club, theatre and entertainment, aerobics and fitness, Sure Start family provision, parent and toddler group, a supervised crche and nursery, mobile social services, Rossendale College courses and any other activities that will benefit people and build up the community.

The Rev Neil Hepworth has organised a public meeting to take place in the New Year where he will unveil the plans.

Mr Hepworth said: "No-one can provide these services until there is a building in which to house them.

"The aim of this public meeting is to share with people what we are planning, discuss any concerns, and to demonstrate the local support for the project.

"All Rossendale councillors, other interested parties and community groups will be invited to come along."

He added: "There will be an opportunity to see an artist's impression of what the centre will look like, as well as outline specifications for this potential two-phased development."

For many years the village has had no church, although groups continued to meet in people's houses.

The Baptists were then invited to use Weir Hotel as a meeting point last year before moving to Northern Primary School.

The meeting is being held on Friday, January 16, from 7.30pm at Northern Primary School's main hall.

Anybody wanting more information should contact Rev Hepworth on 01706 877883.