A CITY church will able to build a new, larger community facility thanks to a £180,000 grant from the Welsh Government.

St Julian’s Baptist Church has been given the cash as part of £2 million being handed out to community schemes across Wales over the next two years.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said he was delighted by the news.

“I have visited St Julian’s Baptist Church, which is in my constituency, many times and seen first-hand the great work they do for the community in Newport,” he said. “I was very glad to write a letter of support for them and I am delighted to hear that the church’s application has been successful.

“The church will receive £180,000 to provide a larger community facility which will enable the group to expand the services on offer. This funding is thoroughly well deserved and will ensure the church can continue to develop and provide vital services to the community in St Julian’s and beyond for years to come.”

Local government and public services secretary Alun Davies said: “The purpose of this funding is to help create resilient communities, where people are directly engaged with local issues.

“I want our communities to help to deliver the vital local services their people need and I will to continue to empower them to be able to do this.

“Each of the projects announced today provide opportunities to deliver locally, while improving community cohesion and bringing people together.”