A CHURCH torched by arsonists more than three years ago has finally risen from the ashes.

The congregation of St Anne's Church, in France Street, Blackburn, gathered yesterday for a special service to mark its re-opening.

Since the fire in December 2000, parishoners have had to use the neighbouring school for services.

The blaze, started in three separate areas of the building, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds in damage.

Initially, it was thought the 1928-dated building would have to be pulled down but a massive fundraising drive helped pay for repairs. Around £300,000 came from insurance companies, with around £200,000 from the RC Salford Diocese and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A further £100,000 was raised by the community for new furniture.

Father Jim McCartney, the former parish priest who left after the fire to concentrate on Those On The Margins Of Society (THOMAS), said: "It is great to see it opening. For three-and-a-half years, we have been homeless."

The Right Rev Bishop Brain, who is the leader of the East Lancashire Catholic Community, officially opened the church. The new church can cater for around 200 people, as opposed to the 800-capacity it had before the blaze.