PARISHIONERS in Bamber Bridge look set to have their prayers answered.

The Station Road Methodist Church will be knocked down next autumn to pave the way for a new scallop-shaped church and school building.

Preston-based architects Cassidy and Ashton, of West Cliff, were appointed on Monday to design the centre but half a million pounds is still being raised for the project which will total more than £2million. The Department for Education and Skills has already put up more than £1.6 million.

Minister Reverend Keith Jump, said he hopes the building will become a central point for the community.

He said: "We have been raising money for many years. The current building is hampering our progress to involve the community. We need a modern structure."

Parishioners will be without a permanent site for a year but when complete the new building will unite the church and the former Bamber Bridge Methodist School, Wesley Street, and St Saviours CofE Primary, Church Road, in one modern structure.

The two schools have been operating as one, Church School, since they merged last year, but they are still split between two sites.

The church is 125 years old and has focused on children throughout its existence, opening a day school in 1885.

While the school finalises arrangements for their new buildings with the Department for Education and Skills, the church has developed plans for a multi-functional meeting room. This will provide the main focus for church services, with a number of smaller rooms and a modern, fully equipped kitchen.

The existing memorial garden will be maintained within landscaped gardens.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "We have been liaising with the borough council and governing body of the school.

"However, detailed proposals for the design of the new building have not yet been finalised and therefore a planning application has yet not been prepared."