PLANS are to be submitted to turn a run down parish building into a multi-functional community facility for Tottington.

Designs for the re-development of St Anne's Parish Hall seek to create a strong public presence in Chapel Street and to provide a user friendly facility for all ages, groups and interests within the community.

"I believe the church of England is here to serve the community," said Rev Hugh Bearn, the vicar of St Anne's Church. "This building is for the whole community. We want to enhance people's lives.

"The parish hall as it is now is old, weary and worn out."

Geoff Leach of Tor Avenue, Greenmount, who is helping raise funds said: "At the moment the building is used by Guides and Scouts. A judo club also uses it and a dog training club. Local bands also use it." "We're hoping the re-developed building will have catering facilities so we can have a bar and we'll be able to have a cafe. It could even be used as a conference centre. It will be multi-functional and we want to make it available for the whole village."

Rev Bearn added there is a possibility the hall may have a computer based learning system installed for the village to use.

If the new developments do get planning permission the church may need to raise a figure somewhere in the region of £200,000.

"There is a fine record of fund-raising at the church," said Rev Bearn. "The church is now absolutely beautiful, its a hidden gem. The people are very pro-active here. We have lots of gifted and able people."

According to Rev Bearn fund-raising activities that have been suggested, ranging from parachute jumping, to musical evenings and the London marathon.

The building was a national school when it was first built in 1835. When the school closed in 1953 it became St Anne's Parish Hall and in 1999 a working group was appointed to explore the possibilities of transforming the building into a village facility.

A target date for opening the re-developed building is summer 2003, providing plans are accepted.

The church is holding a cabaret evening on November 24 at 7.30 pm in the Longfield Suite, Prestwich. Anyone is welcome to attend and tickets are available from Mr Leach on 01204 88 0136.