WORSHIPPERS at a 290-year-old chapel hope to increase its footfall after converting part of its graveyard into a car park.

Fifteen spaces have been created at Peny-garn Baptist Chapel, so people don’t have to park up to 100 metres away on a narrow road.

Secretary Eric Jones said the inscriptions on the oldest headstones in the 1727-built chapel couldn’t be read. Some of the headstones have been made into a feature.

He said: “We felt a car park would be beneficial as people struggle to get to the church.”

Chapel pastor, Phil Harris, said it hosted two weddings last year and a funeral service and a dedication this year.

“I want the community to use the church and its hall and we hope to see a fuller church at services. It would be wonderful to host weddings and dedications monthly and see more groups using the hall” he said.

Chapel member Jo Scrivin invited residents to visit on Saturday ahead of Pontypool’s Christmas Cavalcade, when it will be full of lights and decorations, with children decorating a tree from 10am to 4pm.

Call 01495 230129 for more details.