A FORMER church has celebrated its tenth year since being turned into a community centre.

The Wesleyan Methodist Church, in Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street, was transformed into the Four Clocks Centre ten years ago, since when it has become the place to go for anyone needing help and support.

John Biggs, former chairman of the Bishop Auckland Community Partnership, which was set up to oversee the £1.25m transformation, said the aim was to bring together charities and organisations that offer support and help.

Since it opened, it has been home to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and numerous charities and projects, including the Four Clocks Youth Project and Venture Out, a service for young people seeking help for substance abuse.

The church closed in 1993 after the two Wesleyan congregations in the town merged at another facility, but was re-opened nine years later as the Four Clocks Centre.

Two floors were installed and the project was designed by architect John Niven.

The Reverend Keith Phipps, chairman of the community partnership, said: “This facility has been a tremendous asset to both the people who live in Bishop Auckland and those who visit us.”

The centre also houses a cafe and family contact centre as well as meeting rooms and being home to Bishop Auckland Town Council.