CORNERSTONES Community Centre in Devizes is one step closer to opening a new sensory room after a fun day on Saturday raised more than £1000.

Over 150 people turned out for the day, held in the the former St Francis de Sales Church in Brickley Lane, and enjoyed a jumble and plant sale, face painting, raffle and more.

Devizes Mayor Roger Giraud-Saunders also attended to show his support with the day raising £1022 in total.

Manager Shaun Smitherman, who organised the day with staff members Kelly Dickinson and Kim Wilkins, said: “It was absolutely fantastic; we had a great community spirit on the day.

“The amount we raised is more than double what I thought and it was great to have people with different learning disabilities help with the event.

The centre, for adults with severe learning disabilities, needs to raise approximately £2,000 to develop a working sensory room for people who would benefit from positive sensory integration.

The room will include calm lighting, soft flooring and different smells to be used by both children and adults with learning disabilities.

Mr Smitherman, who took over as manager in January, said: “This centre has so much potential and I want the new room to be available for anyone to come and use at anytime so new people can benefit from it.

“Work on the electrics has already started and we hope to have it open for use by the end of September.”

The Centre first opened in 2009 after owners Alistair and Sheila Sinclair brought the former Roman Catholic Church and converted it to its new purpose.

It provides a day service for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems which focuses on enriching participant’s lives by building on people’s skills, knowledge, unique abilities and strengths.

After the new room is completed the centre is also looking to develop a sensory garden with a specialist swing.

For more information about the centre and the services offered call 01380 727752.