People who enjoy taking advantage of the warm and friendly space in Buckland Road Baptist Church in Parkstone can now do so in comfort.

Douch Family Funeral Directors have donated 40 new seats to the church which opens its doors to everyone between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays,

Douch Family Funeral Directors’ Ives and Shand branch in Ashley Road was refurbishing its ceremony room and had 40 smart spare seats.

Knowing the church because of funerals it has organised there, it donated them.

Zoe Grimley from the church who runs the ‘warm space’ said: “We launched the warm space days in October and they’ve been very popular.

“There is always a safe, warm space in our back room where we have tea, coffee, biscuits, and a soup and roll. People pop in for a chat and it helps those who are lonely.

“You wouldn’t think by looking at our church from the front that we’d have such a large area at the back, but we have pool tables and even a stage for performances.

“However, we were short of chairs and those donated are perfect and they are very well used. We are very grateful and invite everyone to come along.”

Buckland Road Baptist Church was built in 1880 and services are held on Sundays at 11am.