CELEBRATIONS were in full flow at Burtonwood Methodist Church at the weekend as its members marked a century not out' on Phipps Lane.

Established in 1906, the church congregation looked back on 100 years of worship with a centenary concert on Saturday night and a special service on Sunday.

Church minister the Rev John Payne led the proceedings, accompanied by a wealth of musical talent.

And the Rev Payne, who has been at the church for six years, said the celebrations had been a big success.

He said: "We had a concert on the Saturday evening given by the Nearly Tuneful Company, which was very well received with about 70 people in the audience in the church and the hall. I'd like to add that they are quite tuneful!

"On Sunday the service involved the Makerfield Circuit Choir, conducted by Olwen Rowlinson and accompanied by pianist Howard Platt and it also featured a musical solo by Val Parkins, a member of our congregation.

"Our members shared thoughts and reflections of the life of the church and it went very well. It's a small church but it is very much in a healthy state, working alongside the other two churches in the village."

Activities at the 100-year old church don't just include those based around worship, as it also provides a keep fit club, hot soup lunches and a mums and toddlers group for the Burtonwood community.