THE remains of Colchester’s fire-hit former garrison gym could be restored to create a new church and community centre.

The 152-year-old building, on Circular Road South, was devastated by an inferno started in the early hours of June 21 last year.

At the time, Abbeyfields Community Church had been working for two years on plans to convert the derelict building into a community centre and church base.

The blaze left their plans in tatters, but now site owner Colchester Council has revealed it is looking to either create an entirely new building or renovate the gym using its still intact shell.

See Tuesday's Gazette for the full story