Church-goers who clubbed together to find £250,000 to turn an old launderette into a community centre are encouraging people to pop in.

Jonty Allcock, Pastor of Bush Hill Park Community Church, and up to 45 people from the congregation, donated the vast sum of money to turn the building in St Marks Road into a space for the community to use.

The new centre, called The Living Room, opened its doors for the first time on Monday with a week of activities including face painting, cake decorating, pottery painting and Play Station sessions.

The pastor, who helped set up the Christian church in Leighton Road five years ago, said: “We want to meet our community and serve our community and answer people’s questions.

“We want it to feel like a living room and we want people to feel that they can relax and have a chat with friends.”

Pastor Allcock, who lives in Bush Hill Park, said the growing congregation, which has almost doubled since the church was set up, donated the cash because they wanted to “engage with our community” while spreading the word about Jesus.

He said the centre  - which will serve free tea and coffee - will open daily between 1pm and 5pm, although could increase its opening hours once it is established.

In the future, church members plan to hold sessions including toddler groups, after school clubs, discussion groups, debt counselling services at the centre.