A church has celebrated five successful years of a community-backed scheme.

Every Wednesday at St Mary's Church in Beaminster, the team host Walk in Wednesday, which began in September 2013.

The service, which was organised by the Reverend Jo Neary, was originally set up as a place for people to come and receive hospitality, and for the church building to be used as a space where people could come and be welcome, not just on a Sunday.

On the day, there are activities that cater for all ages, from a communion and knitting for charity, to toys and activities for the children.

Rev Jo said: "It has changed over the last five years. Initially we attracted mainly older people who were perhaps isolated or lonely.

"As we have progressed, we have developed a more family feel, with people of all ages involved.

"What amazes me every time is how every week we tend to welcome new people, perhaps people invited to come by friends, visitors to the town, people working in Beaminster for the day, and people are surprised to see a church full of life, noise and people."

The church also employs volunteers to help at the service, who not only offer their assistance when serving the homemade soup for lunch, but also providing a chance for people to sit and chat with someone, where they can be signposted to further information if they need it.

Jo said: "We can only do it because we are fortunate to have chairs rather than pews which give us the flexibility to move the church around and make it into a cafe style and a large team of willing volunteers.

"Without the volunteers, we couldn't do it, that is the triumph of being open for five years, that our volunteer team are so committed and turn up week in week out to offer hospitality.

"They are so brilliant and I want to thank them for their dedications."

Through the services, Jo has noted that a some tourists visiting the area who have attended the sessions have enjoyed it and said they "want to do something like this back in our home church."

Jo said: "Without intending to, I think we have inspired other similar projects across the country."

For more information about Walk in Wednesday, you can visit beaminsterteamchurches.org/walk-in-wednesday or you can visit St Mary's Church any time on a Wednesday between 10am and 3pm.