A historic Bradford church has opened a new children's centre after its campaign to raise more than £80,000 hit the halfway mark.

The Transform project was launched in 2003 to raise £85,000 to modernise Tong Schoolroom and build a second floor in the vestry of St James' Church for a children's centre in Tong village.

Youngsters used to meet in the vestry in a small room - measuring just three metres by 4.5 metres - in the ancient church, which dates back to Saxon times and was rebuilt in 1727.

But thanks to the efforts of parishioners, children can now meet in the heated rooms - a move which brings the church into the 21st century.

Phase one of the project saw the single room vestry, which stretched up to the church's rafter's, separated by a first floor to create a large upstairs room and a smaller downstairs room housing a vestry and creche facilities.

Canon Gordon Dey, vicar of Tong and Holme Wood parish, who has spearheaded the fund-raising campaign, said: "It's really good news. The young children can meet downstairs and the older children upstairs. It's the first time we have ever had a room inside the church that can be used for any community purpose.

"It can now be used as a meeting room for some of the groups that meet in the church such as the Sunday School and music group."

The church raised the money through a host of events, including a ball and gift day. People were invited to give either money or their time and skills to the project.

Canon Dey said: "The best thing is the way in which we have had a great team of skilled tradespeople who worked with local people. Our local church members have put in huge amounts of effort and time.

"The architect originally estimated the cost at £15,000 and we have managed to save £10,000 by local people coming in and working alongside trades people to make it hap-pen."

He added: "We have raised more than £40,000 including the money we saved due to labour people gave but we still have a lot more to raise to complete the work on the Schoolroom."