The Dollis Valley estate welcomed the official opening of a new home for their long-running and popular community centre.

Hope Corner is the new home for the Valley Centre in Barnet, which has been at heart of the community for 24 years.

The building was provided by Barnet Council as part of the Dollis Valley regeneration scheme, and is supported by Barnet Churches Action, Churches Together for Chipping Barnet and the companies behind the regeneration scheme.

The Bishop of St Albans, the Bishop of Edmonton and the Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster opened the centre at the official ceremony.

The 'Hope centre' was chosen by the trustees of Barnet Churches Action, who help run the centre, as well as representatives from the regeneration scheme.

A time capsule was buried in the pavement outside the centre by the centre manager Rosemary Watkins and Barnet Mayor Cllr David Longstaff.

Ms Watkins said: "It was a wonderful day, the right the right number of people were there.

"I didn’t know what to expect, but a lot of people spread the word as much as possible, and it was fantastic.

"We had the great and the good at the official opening and then we held a bbq for local residents and around 200 people turned up.

“I have been running the Valley centre for 24 years and I thought about retiring, but a lot people were so shocked. So I thought I have the energy and the skills, and I could put them to good use.”

The centre will offer services for people up to 90-years-old from across the borough.

The centre has a new café, drop in service, free advice and information, homework clubs, play clubs, and afternoons for seniors and groups to meet up.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said: “This project is a very good example of local churches and the council working together to serve the community and provide support to people who really need it. I am delighted that the excellent work of the Valley Centre will continue in its brand new home.”

Barnet council leader, Richard Cornelius and guests were given a tour of the new centre.