A church that transformed the community held a special service to mark the end its 150th anniversary year.

St James’s Church, in Hampton Hill, hosted a full programme of events for the landmark year and hopes to raise as much money as possible to support Hampton and Hampton Hill Voluntary Care.

The charity runs the Greenwood Centre and supports people in need, which is a philosophy that has been championed by the church since it arrived in Hampton Hill in 1863.

The church was built specifically to deal with social problems in the area and the first vicar, Reverend Fitzroy Fitz Wygram, was determined to make a difference.

The area, which used to be described as a wilderness with highwaymen on Hounslow Heath, was soon transformed with schools opened, poor people helped and the village developed.

St James’s current Vicar Peter Vannozzi said the church’s place at the heart of the community has not changed, which is why the celebrations involved schoolchildren, scouts and local people.

Twickenham MP and Richmond’s mayor Councillor Meena Bond were among special guests for the 150th anniversary service on Sunday, December 8.