A CHURCH in Barnoldswick is planning to build an extension that will provide a "warm and welcoming" centre for the community.

"We've been very concerned about the state of our premises for some time," said the Rev David Edmondson, minister of St Andrew's Methodist Church in Mosley Street. "It's very cold and very draughty.

"Subject to planning permission, we're going to knock down everything except the worship area and build a new extension in the old Sunday School area.

"Instead of having this cold, draughty and decaying building, we'll have a warm and welcoming one."

Mr Edmondson said the new extension, which will include a kitchen and toilets, would serve as a social centre or community cafe for the church and the local community.

"It will be one big room, which we hope to have open three times a week to serve as drop-in area for the community," he added. "This new building will be much more versatile."

While the work in being carried out, the congregation at St Andrew's will worship at 10.30am on Sunday mornings with churchgoers at the West Craven Baptist Fellowship in Manchester Road.

"We'll be moving out in January and we hope to back in our new building by December 2016," he added.

Mr Edmondson said the project, which is expected to cost £190,000, will be paid for by the sale of some land the church is built on, grants and £50,000 the church must raise itself.

To prepare for the new project, St Andrew's will be hosting a launch day from 9.30am to 4pm on November 28 in the church, where members of the community are invited to come along and see the plans on display.

The launch day starts with a breakfast at 9.30am, lunch will be served at midday and the event will conclude with teas being served from 2pm to 4pm.