A COMMUNITY group is campaigning to convert an old drill hall into a community centre.

Runcorn residents hope to buy and refurbish the building in Greenway Road and run it as The Shaw Centre, in memory of William and Mary Shaw who came to Runcorn in 1875 to establish a mission to seamen.

Rev Vicki Schofield said: “Our vision is to provide a community centre for the Runcorn old town area with a range of amenities and rooms that will encourage and provide space for community activities.

“We have formed a partnership of individuals who live in the area with various interests representative of the local community, including St Michael’s Church, who share this vision.”

They want to develop the social wellbeing, cultural and recreational interests of people.

They hope to provide activities, clubs and support groups for all ages, which will include music, sport, dance, drama, visual arts and photography.

The team has secured funding from Halton Council’s Mersey local area funding.

To launch the project, they are inviting people to design a simple, eye-catching logo in a competition.

There are three age categories.

A tablet computer prize will be awarded to the best entrant from a primary school pupil.

A Kindle will be presented to the winner from a high school or college and an iPad is the prize for adults aged 17 and over.

Entries can be posted to The Vicarage, St Michael’s Church, Greenway Road, Runcorn WA7 5AN or e-mailed to robertcjlitter@gmail.com. Please include your name, age, address and telephone number.

Closing date is July 11, 2014.

Visit shawcentreruncorn.org for more details.