A church has secured its first permanent in Bournemouth home after buying a hall in the town centre.

Catch The Fire Bournemouth has acquired St Stephen’s Church Hall after the site went on the market earlier this year.

Plans are in place to renovate the building before moving in at some stage in the autumn.

Small business owners David and Adele Richards started Catch The Fire in their hometown in 2014.

Since then it has grown and rented various properties over the years, including at Talbot Heath School.

The church currently meets on Sunday mornings at Bournemouth School for Girls.

Mr Richards said: “We have been looking to buy a permanent home for the church in the BCP region, for a number of years, and we are delighted to have finally found our place.”

St Stephen’s Church Hall in St Stephen's Way was built in 1934 to serve as a place for the St Stephen’s Church community to gather together for fellowship and events.

Trustee of St Stephen’s Church Hall Andrew Morgan said: “We are extremely pleased that this building will soon be brought back to life and wish the Catch The Fire church community every success at their new place of worship.”

Catch The Fire recently employed Mark Reid as its full-time associate pastor. He is a singer-songwriter, worship leader and recording artist who has moved to Bournemouth from Bristol with his young family.

Mr Reid said: “I’m looking forward to seeing our new home in St. Stephen’s Hall being a base for vibrant expressions of faith, community and art. I pray it will be a place of connection for people, especially for students looking to find a ‘home away from home.’”

Catch The Fire Bournemouth is a Christian church and part of a global movement of approximately 300 churches, including in London and Manchester and Farnborough.

Mrs Richards said: “We’re looking to the future of the town and to the future of the young adults and young families that come here.

“We believe that a vibrant expression of our love for God through music and creativity is one of the key ways to connect with the younger generations.”

BCP Council had previously explored buying the church hall to sub-contract a homeless health hub service from the site but this plan was scrapped after an unsuccessful tender process.