A ONE million pound centre for children is set to open its doors in Netherton tomorrow, just five months after building work began.

As part of the Champions Church, the special centre will be open to the public on Saturday (September 8) and first used by the church a day later.

The building – which has already been paid for – can house up to 200 youngsters during two services, which are run for adults every Sunday at 9.30am and 11.30am.

Pastor Mark Burchell, who instigated the £2.5 million church build, which opened in January 2010, was also behind the new development.

He said the children’s centre was built because youngsters were being housed in portable accommodation and had simply out grown them.

Pastor Burchell said: “Our whole raison d'etre is to bring the community into our church. We have taken such huge strides and seen so many people from around Netherton join us in recent years that we needed a legacy for today's children, and their children and grandchildren.”

The centre has been fitted out by volunteers in time to open its doors on Saturday when hundreds of people are expected to attend.

The church is also running a new scheme called 20/20 which aims to have another new development up and running in 18 months’ time, offering a new coffee shop, offices and conference facilities that will be available for hire.

“We have seen how the community responds with all our outreach work, Pastor Burchell added. “From the youth church to weekly soup kitchens for people who are homeless or struggling with addictions.

“In 2018 I want us going forward to become even more central to the life of this part of the Black Country.”