THE culmination of four months hard work and several years hard fundraising will be paying off next week, when Northlew Methodist Chapel holds its official re-opening ceremony.

The chapel, which dates from the early 1800s, has been the subject of an extensive refurbishment programme since the beginning of the year.

The Rev John Peak, Methodist minister for Northlew, said a considerable amount of work had been undertaken, involving the floors, walls and removal of the pews.

?It?s proceeded very well,? said Mr Peak. ?We?ve tried to retain some of the character of the old chapel, which was the original Bible Christian chapel.

?It wasn?t actually meant to be a Bible Christian chapel originally. There was a dispute between the Wesleyans and the Bible Christians ? the chapel was built by a Bible Christian builder but unfortunately the Wesleyans couldn?t pay for it so it ended up being a Bible Christian Chapel.

?Now it is very much a focal point for Methodists in the area.?

Mr Peak said it had been ?very interesting? so see the work, which has cost around £40,000, progress.

Now the work was nearly completed, Mr Peak said the chapel was already looking ?pretty stunning?.

?I think it will look fantastic. There will be real colour and light. Although we have kept some things very traditional, we?ve tried to make it so people come in and think ?How wonderful!?,? he said.

And Mr Peak paid tribute to the generosity of residents in the area who have contributed to the refurbishment fund.

?People have worked really hard to raise the money and are continuing to do so. The 50/50 shop on Saturdays in Northlew last year raised £3,000 itself, which is incredible ? people have really got behind it, so we hope we will have a really full house at the opening next week,? he said.

The official opening of the chapel takes place at 7pm on Tuesday.

The Methodist chairman of the district will be preaching, the Gospel Ship singers will be singing and the Rev Stuart Wilson will be opening a ?gift box?.

Following the opening ceremony, there will be a supper held in the school room at the chapel.