THE Salvation Army has issued a statement in response to the fire at its centre in Acre Street, Stroud this morning.

Events today have to be cancelled however the weekly Sunday service will go ahead as planned but at a different venue.

Major Ian Harris, Divisional Commander for Severn and Somerset, said: "We are incredibly saddened by the fire at The Salvation Army in Stroud in the early hours of this morning which has caused severe damage to the building.

“Around 250 people come through our building each week for a range of community activities - today we were due to run a luncheon club for people in the community, a CAMEO club - which is a space for older people to come and meet together for fun and friendship, and a knit and natter group again for people in the community.

"Due to the fire we have needed to cancel the meetings today.

"We also run a food parcel programme - which offers emergency food provision to people in need, and run a toddler group, youth group and other church meetings in the building.

"As well as this a host of community groups use our building, such as a range of support groups including alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous, a choir, and a toddler dancing group.

"We are very grateful to Holy Trinity Church based in Trinity Road, Stroud who have offered us their building for our 5pm Sunday church service this Sunday.

"We will be meeting there for our church services for the next few weeks, while we work out a long term plan.

"It is early days in terms of relocating the other aspects of our programme for the community but we are very grateful for the support we have received and the work of the fire service and the police."