A SELF-help project in Minehead has turned a foundation stone into a finished building - in just three weeks.

Jehovah's Witnesses in the town are celebrating the completion of a £300,000 new 165-seater Kingdom Hall, giving them their own place of worship after 15 years of saving.

Members of the local congregation of the Christian-based denomination enlisted the help of fellow Jehovah's Witnesses from across the South West to turn their vision into reality.

Although they called in contractors to clear the site of the new facility on the Mart Road estate, the building itself was put up by volunteers.

And project organisers say that constructing such a high specification building in so short a time has left local building professionals and residents alike amazed.

Local Jehovah's Witness Allan Peppin, in the picture below, said: "It has certainly been hard work but the co-operation and organisation between the various volunteer trade teams has been wonderful.

"We've all had such a happy time working together and we have been really encouraged by the positive observations and messages of support from passers-by and visitors to the site."

Around 200 people from across the region pitched in to help with the build.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not take part in fundraising activities or have collections at their meetings.

So the local congregation has raised more than £300,000 for the project entirely by voluntary contributions.

Bible education meetings at the new hall will begin shortly, once a top coat of tarmacadam has been laid on the car park.

And congregation members are planning an open day in the near future to let local people have a look around the new venue.

Photo: Steve Guscott