A TEAM of volunteers has helped build a £3,500 minstrels' gallery, quiet room and coffee bar at St Giles Church in Lea.

Churchwarden Ken Harper, who is a retired civil engineer, led the team of 11 volunteers, including vicar the Rev Richard East, on the project, which took three months to compete.

The ground-floor coffee bar was due to open for the first time following last Sunday's service. The quiet room and minstrel gallery are on a first floor, above the coffee bar.

The quiet room is waiting for glass to be delivered, to shield it from the rest of the church.

Once the glass is installed, carpet donated by parishioners Mill and Margaret Petcovik, will be laid.

The rooms have been built at the foot of the church tower, which Mr Harper said used to be used for storage.

"We're very pleased with what we have done," said Mr Harper, who moved to Lea over four years ago, with wife Hazel, from Harrow, in Middlesex.

He said the work has been financed through church funds and donations from churchgoers.

Mr Harper said the minstrel room would house church musicians, who perform most Sundays, as well as other performances.

"Parents will also be able to take children up to the quiet room during services, where readings will be relayed," said Mr Harper.

He said he hoped the structure would have an official opening, but said a date had not yet been set.