BOX Methodist Church has spent £4,000 removing 106 bags of asbestos that was dumped under its floor boards 50 years ago.

The asbestos was discovered while builders were in the process of refurbishing the church, in an £85,000 alteration programme.

Michael Rumsey, church property steward of the church, said church members were amazed to find the asbestos left by their predecessors.

"We knew there was asbestos in the old boiler room and had planned to remove it but when the church floor boards were removed so that the foundations could be surveyed we discovered more of it. It was around the central heating pipes and some of it was just dumped there, probably about 50 years ago," said Mr Rumsey.

Work began at the church in July and should be completed by mid October.

"We hope to open for our first service on Sunday October 13. The builders, Wainscot Associates of Nailsea, are doing an excellent job," said Mr Rumsey.

The newly furbished church will not only be asbestos free, but it will have disabled access, toilets, a kitchen and an organ gallery.

"When it is complete the church will be available to everyone in the community, at whatever age," he said.

And the community has been pulling together to support the church.

Donations from local people have been used to buy 54 chairs, kitchen equipment and notice boards.

A friend of the church from Scotland donated £2,000 and gave an interest free loan of £2,000 for the asbestos removal.

The £85,000 refurbishment costs were covered by the sale of the old Sunday school building that is now the home of resident Adrian Chivers.

Even the local parish church is lending its support to Box Methodists. They have been holding services in the parish council offices, and the Reverend Richard Snow of St Thomas the Beckett parish church, has now invited the congregation to hold a covenance service at the parish church.

Box Methodist Church will open on October 13 but an open day for the public will be held on November 2 from 10am to 6pm.