Plans are in motion to transform the former home of an award-winning candle manufacturer into a church and banqueting hall.

Renovation work is currently ongoing at the old Stoneglow Candles building, in Selinas Lane, Dagenham, while planning permission has been requested to change its use to a place of worship and education.

The International Wonderful Prophetic Ministries church is currently using one of the rooms to offer free counselling and teaching in addition to weekly services.

Pastor Ola Papoola, 35, who lived in Thompson Road, Dagenham, until recently moving to Charlton, is one of those involved in the building work and hopes to rent one of the rooms out as a banqueting hall to help cover the costs.

Although claiming to have a congregation of less than 20, he hopes to attract more worshippers when the transformation work is complete next month.