CHURCH members are helping to flush away poverty – quite literally.

Worshippers at Stroat Church are currently upgrading their accommodation bathroom and loo facilities.

And they used the opportunity to hold a ‘Toilet Twinning’ day to help fund a poor community overseas to build a basic toilet, which will prevent the spread of disease.

The morning service on Sunday, May 19, was devoted to loos and how they can provide clean-water handwashing and more hygienic lives.

Spokeswoman Joy Wright said: “For many people in the world, needing to use the loo is not that simple and certainly far from hygienic.

“Many are reduced to using the bush or scrubland with some needing to relieve themselves in the gutter, causing cholera, dysentery and other serious diseases to those that live there.

“Stroat Church contributed toward resolving this problem by holding a ‘toilet twinning’ day.

“The living accommodation attached to the church is in the process of being renovated, and a beautiful new bathroom is part of the refurbishment including a super new toilet.

“So, to celebrate this occasion, it was decided to twin our new loo with one in a poor community that will enable families to build a basic toilet, have access to clean water and learn about hygiene – a vital combination that saves lives.

“We are also the proud owners of a framed toilet twinning certificate,” she added.

“Members of the congregation were also given the opportunity to twin their own home loo at a cost of £60 which would help provide a toilet and hand-washing facilities – basic sanitation that we all take for granted.

“Other merchandise was on sale, including soap and logo printed toilet paper.”

Stroat Church, which has been described as ‘that busy little place on the A48’, is looking forward to celebrating its 130th anniversary in November when worshippers hope the decorating will be complete, providing new accommodation for the future needs of the church.