THE keys to a new community centre, part of a new affordable housing project, have been handed to Selby Abbey.

The Reverend Canon John Weetman accepted the keys to the community centre in Abbots Road from Yorkshire Housing’s Paul Atkins.

Mr Weetman said: “St Richard’s Church stood there previously, which had come to the end of its useful life, and as part of this agreement between ourselves, the council and Yorkshire Housing, the site was developed and we were given a new community centre.

“It will be used for church services from time to time, but we are hoping it will be used by the community groups and for individual bookings. We’ve already had a carols round the club celebration on Christmas Eve, and will be having Holy Communion service on New Year’s Day.”

The £1.3 million scheme also includes affordable housing, with five two-bedroom homes, four three-bedroom homes, two two-bedroom flats as well as the community centre.

Work is due to finish at the site next month, and Mr Weetman said some of the old church still remained at the new site: “The cross is from the previous church, it has been been repainted, and the font is also from St Richard’s. It’s nice to keep some continuity.”