THE Bishop of Willesden has blessed renovation work on the parish church of St Lawrence, Eastcote, which is now complete.

Over the past six months at St Lawrence, condemned gas heaters were replaced with a modern, energy-efficient system, wiring renewed, bespoke lighting added and the building re-decorated, to make it feel more welcoming, all at a cost of £500,000.

The Rt Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy was joined by the recently-elected Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana, for the ceremony.

The Bishop said: “I first visited St Lawrence last autumn [when it] was a busy work site covered in dust. It is now a bright and inviting place, clearly an echo to St Lawrence's ambition to be a beacon of life and hope at the heart of Eastcote.

“A particular mention goes to Fr John Seymour who, since his appointment, has helped St Lawrence return to the life of its patron saint for inspiration to re-imagine its vision: ‘The people of Eastcote are the treasure of God’.”

Fr John added: “This is an exciting moment for us all and the fruit of reflection and hard work. The church doors are now open – literally and symbolically.”