THE congregation of a 176-year-old church will celebrate this weekend as improvements costing £1m are unveiled.

An increase in the number of people attending services at the Holy Trinity church, in Ripon, meant that space was limited and an appeal was launched to help cover the cost of alterations.

Thanks to a huge response from churchgoers, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds The Right Reverend John Packer will be leading a thanksgiving and dedication ceremony on Sunday to mark the opening of the new-look church.

Holy Trinity vicar Reverend David Mann said: "I am deeply grateful to God and to the members of the congregation for their sacrificial generosity in giving this amazing sum of money to these projects."

"The new ambience created in the church will enhance the services of worship as well as making it an ideal venue for theatre, concerts and other events."

The refurbishment has included excavating the church's crypt to make way for a suite of meeting rooms, a church hall and a new entrance.

"We are delighted with the interest being shown in Trinity's new facilities and we shall ensure they will serve the community of Ripon in the years that lie ahead," said Mr Mann.

Ripon is not the only community to benefit from the fundraising, as ten per cent of the £1m raised by the appeal is to be donated to projects in developing countries.

"In view of God's goodness in providing so generously for us and for our needs, we thought it was only right to think about others less fortunate than ourselves,'' said Mr Mann.

"It is a privilege to be able to share with other communities what has been provided so generously for us."

The next £200,000 phase of the Holy Trinity restoration project will include further improvements to the interior of the church and the installation of a lift. The work will be funded by donations and events arranged by the congregation.