A NEW suite of community rooms will be opened in Didcot on Saturday as part of a £275,000 extension to the town’s Methodist Church.

As well as the new function rooms, contractors have fitted improved heating and installed wheelchair ramps and disabled toilets. With decorators adding the final touches this week after six months of work, the rooms are now available to be booked by community groups.

The new-look church will be open to the public for a launch event at 1pm.

The church raised £125,000 towards the work, with South Oxfordshire District Council contributing £40,000. The rest of the money came from grants and trust funds.

Michael Howlett, who chaired the church’s redevelopment committee, said: “We would like to get bookings every day – the more groups that use the rooms, so much the better.”

The Acting Superintendent for the Methodist circuit, the Rev Peter Bennett, said: “As Didcot continues to grow, the church needs to play its part in serving the community. These enhanced facilities will support this aim.”