Worshippers at Barkingside Methodist Church can look forward to a much warmer and more welcoming building after a new £25,000 heating system was installed.

The old boiler at the church in Fremantle Road was on its last legs and there were fears it would not be fixed before the cold weather sets in.

As well as heating up the worship space and offices, the church’s community rooms, which are used by a number of groups, will also benefit from the new system.

Rev Jan Atkins gave thanks in church prayers at a service last week and afterwards some of the members warmed their hands by one of the system’s radiators.

Funding for the work came from The Veolia Environmental Trust, which awarded £22,000, and the Barking, Dagenham and Ilford Circuit of the Methodist Church, which awarded £3,000.

Property secretary Cliff Everitt said: “We are so pleased that new boiler and heating system are now up and running, and so are our many users. We can now look forward to our building being a warmer, more flexible space for the whole community to use and enjoy.”