Worshippers at a Billericay church may have their prayers answered if plans for long-awaited church halls are given the go-ahead.

The £500,000 project at Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road, will complete an ambitious complex on the site of the old Archer Hall.

The church opened in 1992 at a cost of £1 million, but the halls have had to wait while extra funds were raised.

Sheila Bailey, church warden, said: "We are hoping to build the halls into the original church.

"Back in June we had the very latest plans on show. We wanted to build the church and the halls at the same time, but we did not have enough money."

The plans have now been submitted to the council and are awaiting approval.

More than £50,000 has already been raised for the halls and a further £100,000 pledged. The church is now hoping to raise the remaining £300,000-£400,000.

The new halls will be called the Archer Halls in memory of the woman who donated the land to the church back in the 1920s. Three halls are planned -- one large hall and two smaller meeting rooms.

Mrs Bailey said: "They will cover all our needs in the church and also provide room for groups from the community as well."

"It will be for youth groups, parent and toddler groups, and all our Sunday events."

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