A struggling church in Vange looks set to be demolished and replaced with a £1 million healthy living centre.

A bid is expected to go into the National Lottery Board this year to turn the uninviting St Chad's Church, in Clay Hill Road, Vange, into a central community point.

If successful, residents could find medical facilities, a cybercafe, mother and toddler groups and health advice and promotion on their doorstep within two years.

Established organisations such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau could also use the building as a base.

The Rev David Eaton said: "I really hope this is going to come off. It is about how the church can best service the community and get people to find out for themselves what is needed to make a healthy life.

"St Chad's is not an inviting building and is in a poor condition.

"I take my hat off to the people who decide to walk in because there are so many boundaries to overcome first.

"It is not a very welcoming building."

He believes the church should be knocked down and replaced with a dual-purpose building.

St Chad's would still be used as a church on a Sunday but would offer a host of other facilities on other days of the week.

A community representative group was set up four years ago to look at ways to include the church more in the community.

The move comes in the middle of a £25 million modernising scheme on the neighbouring Vange 3/4 estate.

Homes are undergoing major revamps while groups have been set up to look at solving the serious social problems and lack of community.

Anyone interested in being involved in the project is urged to contact the Rev David Eaton on 01268 581574.

New future - it's hoped St Chad's can be turned into a community focal point

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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