LOWER Bemerton children have got a major new project in the village off to a flying start.

When Livvy and Maddy Carter and Sophie and Katie Packer, who all live in Lower Road, heard that a group of local people is trying to raise the funds to reopen the St John’s Church building as a centre for the whole community they were first to offer help.

They made cakes, asked neighbours and friends to contribute and then held a cake sale last Saturday outside the Carter home in Lower Road. The girls made more than £150 profit.

“It is a really great start to our campaign,” said community fundraiser Moira Packer.

“We have a very big job to do raising the money to bring St John’s to life as a place where the whole community can meet, but if everyone brings the enthusiasm to it that these children have, we will get there.”

The next fundraising event will be on June 20, when a number of riverside gardens in Lower Bemerton will be open to the public between 2pm and 5pm. More details from 01722 326261.