BIG plans are in the pipeline to improve the community halls and facilities at the Wesley Road Methodist Church in Trowbridge ahead of a proposed merger.

The church, which celebrated its 150th Anniversary over the weekend of October 29 and 30, is planning internal improvements to its building.

They include new flooring, a new kitchen, installing new toilets, and improving facilities for people with disabilities, as well as improvements to the side entrance.

The improvements are designed to make the buildings more inviting and user friendly within the local community.

Church Secretary Bob Farrimond said: “Our existing facilities are now 40-50 years old and are looking tired. We have decided to invest and improve them.”

The works are likely to cost more than £160,000 and are scheduled to begin on January 9 on a 16-week programme that the  church hopes will be completed by Easter.

They come ahead of plans by Wesley Road Methodist Church and the United Church in Trowbridge to bring the two churches together.

The United Church Trowbridge members have been meeting at the Park Club since their premises in Church Street were sold for residential housing development.

Mr Farrimond, 71, said they hope the two churches will come together, with the first merger service scheduled to take place on Easter Sunday if the Wesley Road Methodist Church works are completed.

“It's an exciting time for the two churches. We are hoping to hold the first joint service at Easter.”

Reverend Tracey Lewis, who is the minister for both churches, said: "We hope the two churches will come together as one.

"There is a will there to do it, we have just got to sort out the technicalities."

The Wesley Road Methodist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in October with a visit from the Methodist Conference president, Reverend Graham Thompson.

He joined the festivities commemorating the occasion with local church congregations also joining in the celebrations.

Reverend Dr Jonathan Pye, chair of the Bristol Methodist District, also attended the celebrations.

Banners and bunting were on display inside and outside the church on the corner of Newtown and Wesley Road and a celebration cake was cut for all to enjoy.

Following the morning worship, more than 60 members and friends enjoyed a lunchtime meal.

Later in the day Reverend Thompson joined Christians from all the churches in Trowbridge for the annual celebration of the work of Christian Action in the Trowbridge Area (CATA).