A £45,000 appeal to transform a Bolton church hall reaches its climax on Saturday with a slap-up meal.

The Millennium Appeal by Chorley Old Road Methodist Church is marking a year of fund-raising to turn its church hall into a multi-purpose community facility.

The imaginative scheme, which has been drawn-up by architects Hayes and Standige of Preston, includes a new entrance and foyer and an upgraded garden.

But the main feature of the hall will be a sanctuary area featuring seven stained glass windows transferred from the old church.

The minister, the Rev Gilbert Braithwaite, said: "They will have pride of place, providing a superb backdrop and maintaining a spiritual link with the original building."

Thousands of leaflets and appeal letters have been circulated to people living in the area, pleading for help in raising the money.

The meal, which starts at 7.30pm with guest speaker Rev Frazer Smith and a musical ensemble from Bolton Youth Orchestra, is set to mark the appeal's success so far.

Rev Braithwaite added: "It is vital that a modern multi-purpose building is provided to cater for a host of social and spiritual activities seven days a week."

Contact Sheila Richardson for more information about the appeal or the meal on 01204 847084.

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