A CHURCH reopened its doors at the weekend after a �300,000 refurbishment to encourage more members of the community to use the building. Tilehouse Street Baptist Church in Hitchin, which has undergone a series of upgrades to its interior, officially reo

A CHURCH reopened its doors at the weekend after a �300,000 refurbishment to encourage more members of the community to use the building.

Tilehouse Street Baptist Church in Hitchin, which has undergone a series of upgrades to its interior, officially reopened its doors on Saturday with a ceremony led by former TV news presenter and Hitchin resident, Richard Whitmore.

The modernisation of the 260-year-old church included the installation of glass entrance doors, a new heating system, chairs to replace pews and a levelled floor to improve wheelchair access.

Revd John Matthews, minister of the church, said: "With the building a lot more open, welcome and friendly, I hope that more people will come into the building for a variety of community events. We want them to feel this is somewhere they are welcome and cared for."

The money needed for the work was raised over five years through legacies, donations and fundraising.