Easier disabled access is among new facilities at Riddlesden's United Reformed church

A dream came true for a Riddlesden church on Saturday as it unveiled its plush new facilities.

A service of celebration and dedication was held for the "DREAM Scheme" extension at the village's United Reformed Church.

The focus of the £45,000 project was on providing new disabled facilities including a ramped entrance and toilets.

The church, at the top of Bar Lane, has been joined to the next-door scout hut and a new meeting room and kitchen have been built.

Uniformed groups held their own fundraising drive to redecorate and re-floor the scout hut at the same time.

DREAM, which stands for Disabled Requirements and Elderly Access in the Millennium, involved a large fundraising campaign.

As well as seeking money from charitable trusts and the URC Synod, the church wrote to former members asking for donations and businesses offered help "in kind" to keep the costs down.

Many of these supporters joined church members - who carried out most of the interior work themselves - at the dedication ceremony on Saturday.

The service was led by Rev Hilma Wilkinson, minister at the church, and the building was dedicated by Rev Carole Ellifsen Jones, Interim Moderator for the region.

A ribbon was cut by Derek Robertshaw, a wheelchair user, who recently retired after many years as church treasurer.

Church member Olive McKeand says the response to the fundraising request showed that many people have a great affection for Riddlesden United Reformed Church.