A LOCAL church is celebrating bouncing back from a devastating fire by putting on its own summer Proms.

Wibsey Methodist Church suffered major damage last August when a fire started in a recently built wooden summerhouse in its grounds.

The intense heat from that blaze smashed nearby church windows and flames spread to the church hall kitchen, causing significant damage and smoke-logging the building.

It took ten firefighters two hours to get the fire under control and make the area safe.

The church, in School Lane, has since undergone a £20,000 programme of repairs, with much of the cost covered by insurance and local traders also providing some work for free.

And now it’s ready to celebrate, by putting on a summer programme of music dubbed ‘Wibsey’s Own Proms’.

One of the organisers, church treasurer Richard Sheard, said: “We are trying to reach out to the community, really, to say we had a hiccup last year and we are back, fit and strong again, so please come along and support us.”

Mr Sheard said the initial idea had been to stage a big Last Night of the Proms-style celebration, but they then realised they “can’t do a Last Night of the Proms without doing something before it”.

He said: “So that’s why we are organising a Proms. Wibsey’s Own Proms, we are calling it because it is the first one.

“We have got all the flags for the Last Night of the Proms. We’ll have Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem, Fantasia - all the old favourites.”

The week-long season of music kicks off at 6pm on Sunday with a free Songs of Praise event.

It is followed by a string of events each charged at £5 per person, and all starting at 7.30pm.

On Wednesday, entertainer Paul Harper will be joined by local BBC Let It Shine contestant Bradley Johnson for an evening of music and humour.

The Great Horton Singers will take to the stage on Thursday with their blend of songs from the 1900s to the present day.

On Friday, June 30, pianist and organist Craig Sutcliffe will perform a varied repertoire of his own compositions, as well as favourite tunes from classical composers, the shows, films, opera, hymns and the world of folk and pop.

Then on Saturday, July 1, the church will hold its big Last Night of the Proms-style celebration, complete with plenty of Union Flag-waving.

The Clifton And Lightcliffe Senior Brass Band will provide the music and the crowd will be encouraged to sing along.

All proceeds will go back into church funds.