A COMMUNITY centre to build stronger bridges between the public and servicemen has opened in a church hall thanks to a grant and business donations.

The ‘Centurion Centre’ is based in the former men's club in St Mark's Parish Hall, North Road.

It will be used not only by members of the armed forces, veterans and their families, but also the wider St Helens community.

The centre’s main role is to build links and understanding between those who have served or are serving and the public.

It will also develop community projects and enable greater support for members of the armed forces, ensuring they are not disadvantaged by their service.

The parish’s Reverend Bill Matthews has headed the project since being encouraged by Councillor Joe Pearson, St Helens Council’s armed forces community champion, to apply for funding from Community Covenant Grant Scheme.

It secured a grant for £24,000 and renovations began in autumn 2013, but the project only came to fruition because the local business community invested more than £64,000.

The discovery of an unexpected area of cellar, which was undermining the building’s structure, nearly scuppered the project before it began.

Reverend Matthews added: “The damage required considerable funds to put right and it looked insurmountable.

“I trusted in faith, hope and charity, sending out a mayday request to local businesses; the response was overwhelming.

“The support of men such as Colin Duncan of Britplas, retired CDT teacher, Les Yates, John Tabern of Tabern Property Consultants, Dave Smith of DMS Electrical Services, and Dave Kelly of St Helens Waste Recycling Ltd, deserves recognition.

“I could never praise them enough for their help they have given the Armed Forces Community in St. Helens.”

Councillor Pearson added: “The generosity of the business community was staggering, and demonstrates the respect and regard that the people of St Helens have towards our armed forces.”