A FIVE-YEAR campaign to renovate one of Darlington's oldest Methodist churches has come to fruition.

Worshippers at Cockerton Methodist Church raised more than £100,000 for the work.

Although it could not be altered from the outside because it is in a conservation area, the church 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.

To celebrate the end of the restoration programme, a rededication ceremony took place at the weekend, with the guest speaker being the Reverend John Platts, former chairman of Darlington Methodist District.

On Saturday, there will be an open day from 10am to 2pm to allow residents to see the work.