A group to help combat loneliness and to get people to learn new skills and make new friends is growing fast.

Wheelock Congregational Church, on the corner of Crewe Road and Hind Heath Road in Sandbach, set up the 'Fifty Plus' group in the later part of last year.

Since then, the group has gone from strength to strength and is doing so well that an off-set craft group is being launched.

The group, which meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1pm, is the brainchild of lay preacher, David Friery.

David Friery (left) with church minister, Rev Clifford Millington

Now two members of the group are about to launch a 'Knit & Natter, crochet and chatter group on the third Wednesday of the month.

David said: "We ran a 'Fifty Plus' group in the Whitby area where I lived previously and I thought it would work well here.

"As a church, we want to reach out to the local community and help them.

"Lots of people are lonely for whatever reason and this group gives them something to focus on and come along and meet others.

"It's nice for people to come and sit and have a chat and listen to our message for the week."

At the moment, the group meets for cakes and tea or coffee but David has plans to launch activities such as badminton, carpet bowls and table tennis.

"It's become very popular and the minister's wife's cakes are a big hit with those who come along. It's a way of getting out and meeting people," David added.

Member, Lynn Morris, started coming to the group and is now helping to launch another group, 'Knit & Natter'.

"It's growing month on month. It's somewhere to come for a couple of hours, meet new people and have a chat."

New members are always welcome and can contact David Friery at [email protected]

'Fifty Plus' members at the last meeting.

The 'Knit & Natter' group begins on February 15th and takes place from 1pm until 3 pm. Both groups are free to attend.

Further details available on the church's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wheelockchurchcongregational

And its website https://www.wheelockcongregationalchurch.co.uk/services