EXCITING games and crafts to keep youngsters amused during the first day of half-term will be available at Whitchurch Methodist Church this October.

The church is running a 'fun factory' on Monday October 27 for local primary school-aged children, between 2pm and 4pm, when activities will be provided in a safe environment.

The fun factory is not the only event being held in the church that week — on Friday October 31 there will be a concert by the Forum Male Voice Choir of Okehampton, starting at 7.30pm.

Members of the church have been working hard on the old building in recent months. The room at the south end of the chapel has a replastered wall and new slate roof — a far cry from the days when it was originally used to house the preacher's horse!

Plans are also under way to install a ramp, reposition the outside door and make the building suitable for disabled access.

All the work at the chapel is being carried out after a series of successful fundraising events which have so far raised more than £2,500.

Members of the church have also raised money for other good causes — the recent successful harvest thanksgiving celebrations raised £201 for Catalyst, a local church youth group, and Operation Sunshine, which regularly sends clothes and a variety of aid to Africa.