A Darlington congregation will see the fruits of a four-year campaign when its church opens its doors on Sunday for the first time in months.

Worshippers at Cockerton Methodist church raised over £100,000 towards a complete renovation. The builders moved in over the summer. The 200-strong congregation has been attending Pierremont Methodist church in the interim.

A rededication ceremony will take place at the 10.30 family service when the guest speaker is the Rev John Platts, former chairman of Darlington Methodist district, who is now living in Cumbria.

The minister, the Rev Alan Smithson, said the church was also grateful to many local trusts for their support.

"This begins a new chapter of mission and ministry of the church, which is celebrating its 126th anniversary," said Dr Smithson.

Cockerton is one of the oldest Methodist churches in Darlington and the outside could not be altered because it is in a conservation area. It needed to be brought up to date inside to provide disabled access and to comply with food preparation regulations.

It now has a new kitchen, toilets and meeting rooms; the church pews have been replaced with chairs and the area remodelled to allow different styles of worship.

On Saturday, November 25, there will be an open day from 10am-2pm to allow residents to see the work. There will be coffee, lunches and a photograph display.