Volunteers from Barclays Bank have swapped their suits for overalls and redecorated a Borehamwood church hall.

Around 35 employees at the bank's Borehamwood accounts centre spent time painting and decorating the church, as part of a Hertsmere Community Voluntary Support (CVS) initiative.

The Rev Richard Leslie, the vicar at St Michael and All Angels, said the hall needed improvements, but without the volunteers' help a long fundraising campaign would have been necessary.

"It was very tatty, and it was looking drab. I am just delighted with what they have done. The hall really is looking very bright and clean now, and they have converted a storeroom at the back into a meeting room."

He said the church hall was already used by a slimming club, Irish dancers and a disabled group, and could be hired out for children's parties and community groups.

Hertsmere CVS organised the volunteers as part of the Make A Difference Day initiative, through which organisations in need of help are linked with people keen to put something back into the community.

The days have been running across Britain since 1996, and attract more than 25,000 volunteers every year. For information about volunteering in Hertsmere telephone 020 8207 4504. For information about hiring the church hall, telephone 020 8905 1365.

October 17, 2001 11:16