FUNDING to help upgrade a church in Llangollen into a community hub has been hailed as 'vital' by a north Wales MS.

The town's parish church of St Collen’s has been awarded almost £95,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to kick-start an ambitious scheme.

St Collen's will use the funding to 'adapt the historic place of worship to meet the needs of the 21st century'.

The Genesis Project aims to make a number of alterations to the fabric of the building, which dates back to the seventh century, including taking away pews to make a space for a stage platform which will enable the church to host more plays, concerts and school nativities.

Sam Rowlands MS has welcomed the news of the National Lottery Heritage funding as 'vital' for the church.

Mr Rowlands said: “I am delighted to see almost £100,000 has been awarded to St Collen’s Church by the National Lottery Heritage Fund which will help make it into more of a community hub."

The aim of the upgrade is to create a more flexible and inclusive space to act as a community hub to be enjoyed by a variety of local organisations.

“These days more than ever, it is vital out local churches are supported and the upgrading work will mean the place can be used by local organisations and for other events.

“It is also great to see National Lottery Funding continuing to help projects in North Wales.”

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The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded St Collen’s £94,886 for the first phase of the work, which subject to faculty consent will be carried out over the next 12 months.

The Priest-in-charge of St Collen’s, Father Lee Taylor said they were delighted to receive the substantial grant.

He said: “It will enable us to start work on our long-standing vision to re-order the church in a way it will enable it to better meet the needs of the current century.”

St Collen’s is one of only seven places across the UK to receive National Lottery Heritage development funding to finalise plans for creating community hubs for engagement, education, creativity and wellbeing.

The plans to transform the church, known as The Genesis Project, are being led by a small group of local volunteers.

St Collen’s Church is part of the Valle Crucis Mission Area, one of 20 which make up the Diocese of St Asaph.