A community church near Royal Wootton Bassett wants to build a new hall to boost its work with local people.

The Church of God at Flaxlands Lane to the north of the town calls itself the community church in the country, and is part of an international religious network.

It has applied to knock down its existing small church hall, which is 83 square metres, and put up a new building which would be 180 square metres in size.

In a supporting statement submitted as part of a planning application to Wiltshire Council, the church - which believes in immersion baptisms - says it already has great links to local communities and charities.

A spokesman said: “It has been a privilege to use our location in this way, and to be there for local people looking to help global causes.

“With the current facilities, we’ve been able to contribute to our community and provide for many organisations and groups.

"Our hope with this planning application is to make an even bigger difference - to improve our facilities, and be able to offer even more in the way of local support and care for those in our community.”

With headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee in the United States, The Church of God is a Christian denomination deriving from Baptists.