MEMBERS of a Christian group have been visiting homes in Chippenham and offering to carry out jobs for free.

The congregation of the Dayspring church decided it was time they met up and helped members of the local community so they handed out free Easter eggs and offered to do some chores.

Church leader Dave Halls said a recent MORI poll indicated that while 78 per cent of people wanted the church to play a greater role in helping in the community, 86 per cent had never experienced the church helping out.

So, one Sunday a month, the Dayspring members swap prayers and hymns indoors for cutting grass and moving rubble for the residents of Woodlands Road.

The group decided to focus on one road to start with but their operation may extend further in the future.

"In some cases we were doing jobs some people find it quite difficult to do, like taking stuff to the tip," said Mr Halls.

"We have also helped pruning trees and cutting overgrown grass.

"If you let a garden get away from you it can be quite difficult to bring back to order if you're ill or elderly."

About 40 people from Dayspring have been out doing jobs for people on two Sundays, and they are planning a third event next month.

"Most people say when they come in contact with a church, the church is asking for something," said Mr Halls.

"But when we gave away little Easter eggs, one elderly lady burst into tears."

He said the programme was a way to keep in touch with the community with no strings attached.

"We have to work hard refusing donations," he said. "We will not take them not even to our favourite charity. That would mix the message."

The church members do not press their Christian message either though they will answer questions if people ask about the group.

Dayspring runs a Sunday service at 10.30am from Sheldon School, with a congregation of about 80 people.

The church is a member of Chippenham Churches Together. It has a relatively young congregation but members say its creed is not particularly radical