A Newtown church is to receive up to £25,000 in Welsh Government funding for a new extension.

All Saints Church, Commercial Street will use the money to provide accessible toilets, kitchen and improved access to main building to create a community hub.

Reverend Canon Nia Wyn Morris, Newtown Rector, said: "All Saints is an active and outreaching church. Thanks to this Community Facilities Programme grant we will be able to do so much more for and with our community.

"We are refurbishing the interior of our original church and creating a new and much needed extension that will offer us better facilities as we strive to better serve our community. We will have new toilets, including a shower, a kitchen and a meeting room; all with disabled access.

"These facilities will enable us to offer better hospitality when we host activities for people of all ages in our community, and it will be a venue that will be available for other groups to make use of."

Building work is expected to start in September.

The church is one of 12 community projects across Wales that has been awarded £1.4 million in funding as part of the Community Facilities Programme which offers up to a maximum of £250,000, or up to £25,000 for smaller grants. 

Welsh Government said the money aims to help well-used community facilities to improve their long-term sustainability, providing opportunities for local people to improve their day-to-day lives.

Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “Volunteers and the projects they support have always been an integral part of our local communities across Wales. As the last year has shown, volunteers are the glue which hold our communities together.

“This amazing volunteering attitude has never been more evident than it has over the past 12 months, where we have seen people of all ages and backgrounds rise up to the enormous challenges Covid-19 has presented.

“Our latest commitment to funding 12 fantastic community projects across Wales are especially poignant and it has never felt more fitting to take the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to each and every person and organisation who has given their time to help.”