The results of an £80,000 refurbishment project at St Aldhelm’s Church in Corsham were shown off to the public on Saturday.

Families poured into the Pickwick Road church to see changes made to encourage more community groups to use the building, including a new heating system costing £45,000, as well as £35,000 worth of internal alterations and redecoration.

There were songs from Corsham music group Sing Happy and displays around the building illustrating the various fundraising efforts.

The building has a main hall, worship area, small meeting room, kitchen and toilet facilities, as well as meeting and storage rooms on the upper floor.

A serving room has now been created next to the kitchen and the pews have been replaced with removable seats so the room can be hired out.

There are plans to set up a café later this year, a youth club for primary school children and an after school drop-in café for students from Corsham School.

Funding for the project came from numerous sources including a £25,000 grant from the Landfill Community Fund, £24,000 from United Church Area funding and £29,000 raised by church fundraisers.

The Rev Alison Morley said: “We have been counting up the number of hours volunteers put into the refurbishment and it comes to more than 600, which is fantastic. We also received generous donations from local businesses and contractors.

“All the work started in October. It was a great opportunity for people to come and have a look around.

“It was nice to see all of the groups who use the church chatting to each other, as they don’t usually get the opportunity to do this.”