A NEW Mormon temple in Lancashire is expected to become a magnet for thousands of worshippers when finished.

The temple, which already dominates the skyline in Chorley at junction eight of the M61, will be only the second in Britain.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a long history in Lancashire. Its oldest continuous branch anywhere in the world is in Preston, which dates back to 1837.

The temple will cater for worshippers from Birmingham up to the outer reaches of Scotland and across to Ireland.

There are around 170,000 members of the world-wide church in the British Isles, many of whom live in the North.

Work on the multi-million pound building started in 1995 and is expected to be completed next year.

Builders have been using traditional craft techniques.

The temple will be used as a centre for courses about the church's beliefs and for special events, such as wedding ceremonies.

The church's director of public affairs Bryan Grant said: "The temple will be reserved for very special occasions and we expect it will be a magnet for followers of our faith."

The other British temple, in Lingfield, Surrey, was dedicated in 1958.

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