A REDDITCH religious centre has celebrated its 40th anniversary in the town, with the help of local MP Karen Lumley.

The Ecumenical Centre, based in Evesham Walk, within the Kingfisher Centre, opened in 1976 and was designed to be a home for Emmanuel Church, as well as a place of general hospitality and care for the people of Redditch.

It became a hub for the community and a host for organisations seeking to support people in various ways.

A community day, attended by the MP, was held to celebrate and promote the user groups, as well as the centre itself.

Stalls showcased the groups based there and lunch, supper and refreshments were served throughout the day.

The Rev Stephen Levett, minister for the Emmanuel Church, said: “Support for the community has continued to be at the heart of what we seek to do in the Ecumenical Centre and we are delighted that many groups and many people still use and value the centre today.”

Mrs Lumley said: “I know what a busy hub of activity the Ecumenical Centre has been within Redditch, certainly in the time that I have been here, and I know that community groups rely on it for their meetings, while of course you can just pop up there for a coffee or lunch on a Friday.”

Groups that use the Ecumenical Centre regularly include Redditch Nightstop, Carers Careline, Victim Support, Age Concern, Redditch Older People's Forum and Weight Watchers.