MORMONS hope their Runcorn church gutted in an arson attack will soon rise like a Phoenix from the ashes.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Clifton Road was demolished after the roof was torched in October, 2007.

Mormon Bishop Jared Ireland said this week: “We’re looking forward to having a building again.

“It will be a lot more aesthetically pleasing.”

Plans for a two-storey church and meeting house on the site of the former 27-year-old building have been submitted to Halton Council.

A fierce blaze ripped through the former single storey building in the early hours of the morning as five appliances tackled the flames.

The church was closed for renovation at the time.

The 140-strong congregation now meets at The Heath conference centre.