STAGE equipment used by organisations at an Andover church has been upgraded, improved and modernised with help from Test Valley Borough Council.

A total of £6,540 was raised for the equipment used by five different groups at St. Mary’s Church, with a Council Community Grant contributing £3,400.

The staging is owned by St Mary's Church but will remain a community asset for anyone requiring it, free of charge.

Winton ward member Councillor Chris Lynn said: “The wooden staging had to be brought up from the crypt every performance and put away that night before church services the next morning. Health and safety was a real issue so we were delighted to be able to help the different organisations that will benefit from the use of this multi-purpose staging.

The staging now only takes 15 minutes to put up or take down and is transported and stored using a trolley.