Church parishioners who raised £1.1million to build a new community centre are "excited" to finally be able to open it.

People are invited to St Mary's Hope Centre at 1.30pm on Saturday, September 16 for the unveiling - which will take place during the Love Loughton Festival.

The new centre replaces the former Ignite Centre which was built 1970s and was no longer-fit-for-purpose.

St Mary's Church vicar Rev'd Malcolm Macdonald said: "After a year of building we are so excited to be able to open the Hope Centre at the heart of the High Road in Loughton.

"St Mary's is all about bringing love and hope to our beautiful town.

"Everyone is warmly invited to come to Love Loughton and have a good look inside the new Hope Centre.

"There is good news and hope on our High Road."

The Love Loughton Festival will see a variety of acts including a rock choir, zumba, pop choir Jeltz and football freestyler Al Johnson.

Other groups, including the Rotary Club and Neighbourhood Watch, will also attend.