Birmingham community celebrates new centre
A Birmingham church is to be transformed into a centre for use by the whole community thanks to a £300,000 grant.
People living near St Margaret's Church in Ward End are to hold a party later to celebrate the award of the grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust.
One resident said it would bring the church "back into the heart of the community".
Friday's party will also offer a chance to name the new centre.
Regular worship at the church ended in 2005, although it is occasionally still used for services.
The money will be used to redevelop the inside of the building.
St Margaret's Community Trust said the refurbishment would include rented office space for social enterprises and room for drop-in advice surgeries, as well as a hall for events.
The community group is also waiting to hear the result of an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
If successful the group plan to develop a further hall space and mark the history of the church and the local area.
Local MP Liam Byrne will be joining the celebrations on Friday, alongside Birmingham's Lord Mayor Anita Ward.