CHAMPAGNE flowed at the recent opening of a newly expanded charity in Cirencester.

Vital charity organisation The Churn Project has celebrated moving into a bigger building at The Waterloo, giving staff more room to support those who need it.

Mayor of Cirencester Joe Harris was honoured to cut the ribbon to the new establishment yesterday (Wednesday).

"I'm absolutely privileged to open the new building," said Cllr Harris. "The Churn Project is such a fantastic organisation. I see the hard work they do in the community to help and support people.

"As long as there are people in need of the Churn Project they will always have a role."

The Churn Project works hard to improve the quality of life of the people in Cirencester, including families, older people and the unemployed, either for free or at a very low cost.

Project director Fran Embleton-Smith said the transition from the project's former building in Dyer Street to the bigger premises in The Waterloo felt like a fresh start.

"We felt very constrained in the old building and could not expand or do some of the work we knew we wanted to do," she said. "What the new building means is we have space for more staff and to do more activities."

The launch saw local councillors, businesses and residents attend to celebrate with the charity on its special launch day. Guests enjoyed canapes, sweet treats and glasses of bubbly before a speech was made by chairman of trustees Peter Marrow.

"We try to create opportunities which people want and not what people tell them they want," added Mrs Embleton-Smith. "Raising aspirations is a big part of what we do."

Visit churnproject.org.uk for more.