A VILLAGE church has received a warm boost this winter thanks to solar panels paid for by a business community initiative.

Banks Group has donated £7,600 from its community fund to Witton Park Methodist Chapel, near Bishop Auckland, to fund the renewable energy source.

Each week the popular church holds a series of events, including services, concerts, coffee mornings and lunches for the community to enjoy.

However, this resulted in high energy costs so it applied for the grant and earlier this year organisers found out they had been successful.

John Swinbank, property steward of Witton Park Methodist Chapel, said: “The solar panels will make a vast difference. It means when we have midweek meetings we can set the time for the heating.

“We hold many events and they are well attended so this will really help.”

Lewis Stokes, of Banks Group, said: “We are always looking to help community projects and we are about reducing the carbon footprint.

"The church wanted to reduce its energy bills so putting in solar panels was a logical step forward and we were able to help.”

Work will also start in the New Year on a new kitchen extension at the Methodist church. The £40,000 project has been paid for by the Scotto Charitable Trust and Councillor Rob Yorke’s neighbourhood budget.

Cllr Yorke said: “This place has proved the lifeline for many residents, especially those who can often find themselves quite isolated.”