WORK could begin next Easter on the £260,000 expansion of Oakworth Methodist Church.

Construction of the new facilities. which include theatre provision and new meeting rooms, could start soon after the end of the church’s panto.

The church’s ambitious Mission Possible project also includes a specialist worker – currently being recruited – to work with families at churches across the Keighley area.

The news was revealed this week following the runaway success of the project’s latest fundraising event.

Children from the panto cast, KYDZ Keighley Youth Theatre, Oakworth Guiding groups and the May School of Dance performed a cabaret at the church for two evenings.

Church spokesman David Howarth said the event made £1,455 profit, the highest proceeds of any Mission Possible fundraising event since the launch day last year.

He said: “The feedback has been great – everyone who booked to come along had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The quality of the cabaret acts was excellent.

“The cabaret brings the local fundraising and donations total to £26,645, leaving us less than £7,000 to raise to hit our local target figure.

“We now have a total of £150,929 received and promised towards the £260,000 budget figure.”

The money, which includes large grants from the wider Methodist Church organisation, will pay for permanent theatre facilities as well as extra space for a wide range of community groups.

Improvements will include a new collapsible stage, extra toilets and storage, dedicated pre-school facilities, and extra meeting space.

Mr Howarth and his son Peter, the church’s technical specialist, are now working on the final grant applications.

Mr Howarth said: “The hope is that we can raise sufficient before the end of the next pantomime in February to enable us to start the building work next Easter.”

He said a significant part of Mission Possible involved the employment of a youth, children and family worker to operate across the Airedale Methodist Circuit, particularly in Oakworth and Silsden.

Mr Howarth added: “The post is being funded entirely by our Methodist Circuit and I am really excited by the possibilities the new worker will be able to explore.

“The worker will further develop our work amongst young people and their families, particularly through the use of drama. It is hoped the successful candidate will start in September.

“It is now all the more important that we complete our Mission Possible building work as soon as possible to support the new opportunities going forward."