Menston Methodist Church is planning a £176,000 refurbishment aimed at meeting the demands of an expanding village.

The Main Street church, which has 166 regular members and about 330 on the community roll, is looking to expand to cope with the 1,000 new homes being built in the next decade.

The church's plans include a new side extension, additional rooms, accessible toilets and refreshment facilities.

The church has already received £19,000 in Methodist grants and a generous bequest of £35,000 from former church member Edna Brigg.

Long-time church member, Jack Kell of Menston, said: "It will hopefully have a wider appeal for people to come."

Church treasurer Tim Kelly added: "Our premises are heavily used and we're trying to meet the needs of the community.

"And it'll tackle the issue of disabled access and toilets."

By completing the improvements, the church will then be in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The church's vicar, the Rev Fiona Spandler, said: "The whole idea is to open up the premises so we're more accessible to people in the village.

"We're trying to make a church that will serve the 21st century as it has served the previous two centuries."

The church's first chapel was built in 1826 and still stands today. The existing church building was built in 1886.

Mr Kelly said the church is hoping that building will begin within the next year. The work will take six months to complete, and he said the church would like the project to be finished and ready for opening around June 30, 2007.

Although £54,000 is already going towards the project, the Rev Spandler said it is going take a lot of commitment from church members to help raise the remaining funds.

It is hoped the balance will be raise by personal gifts, fund-raising schemes and external grants.

Initial events the church has planned include a Launch Lunch on Sunday, a Gift Day in September, followed by concerts by the Fairfax Singers, the Menston Methodist Choir and Aireborough G and S Society.

Any donations that the public wishes to make can be sent to the Rev Fiona Spandler at the Manse, Main Street, Menston.