THE golden years of a Weymouth church will be celebrated this weekend - and the congregation says the festivities will be 'blooming' marvellous.

Churchgoers at Lanehouse Rocks Methodist Church in Lynch Lane are marking their 50th anniversary with a flower festival and an exhibition of photographs charting their history since they were established back in 1952.

The first church building cost the congregation just £820 when it was first launched 50 years ago - and the congregation is still going strong.

Long-standing church member John Squibb said: "Our very first services took place in the canteen of Bristol's instrument factory - which was then in Lynch Lane. At about the same time the Sisterhood, which was always an integral part of the church, began meeting at Marquis Cottage, which then stood at the corner of Lanehouse Rocks Road and Chickerell Road.

"Through a growing sense of mission and by realising the needs of a growing area, especially with the new estates that were being built, several members and friends decided it was time to establish a new church."

The breakthrough for the church-planters came when they were donated some land at the corner of Lanehouse Road and Lynch Lane by local man William Bartlett. They were given the chance to buy a wooden hut for £820 and the church was declared open for worship.

Mr Squibb added: "The wooden hut, as it was lovingly called, served the church well until finances allowed the vision of the present church building to materialise. This was completed and the service of dedication took place on Saturday, April 27 1968.

"The opening hymn at that service was 'With gladness we worship, rejoice and sing', and over 50 years this sums up the spirit of service and dedication that so many members have given to the life of the church."

As part the festivities to mark the anniversary weekend the church will be open from 10am until 4pm on Saturday when friends and visitors can enjoy the Golden Flower Festival and take a look at the photographic exhibition.

On Sunday at 10.30am a special anniversary service will be held, conducted by the Lanehouse minister, Rev Bill Gates.