Left Bank Leeds is being developed in the former St Margaret of Antioch
Church building on Cardigan Road, Hyde Park.

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The building is undergoing major repairs so that it can be brought back into use for community and professional arts and music activities, including performance, exhibitions and workshops.

Vik Banks, a Left Bank trustee, told Woodhouse Today: "We've managed to raise quite a lot of money so far towards the major repair works, like the roof, but there are lots of smaller jobs to do.

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"This community challenge is a great way to get a group of willing volunteers involved in the project."

The building has been used for filming in recent months, and due to its ceiling height has been a venue for acrobatics.

The trust still needs to raise another £40,000 to finish the work on the roof and then they'll start raising money for new heating, toilets and equipment, so that Left Bank can really get off the ground as a music and exhibition venue, as well as still being used for church services and weddings.

The building will be open to the public during the Heritage Open Days on September 12 and 13.

A group of volunteers from the Leeds office of Halifax Bank have been clearing rubbish and weeds and building a path.

The challenge was set up by Business in the Community, after they were approached by the Left Bank trustees.

The former St Margaret's Church building on Cardigan Road was designed by the architect Temple Moore in what has become known as "late gothic revival style" and is a grade II* listed building.

Built by public subscription, it was completed in 1908 and used regularly until the early 1990s when the congregation merged with All Hallows and moved to their building.

After being empty for several years, the building was bought by a local Christian trust. Since 2006, the trust has raised over £400,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and 2 Leeds trusts.

* For more information visit: www.leftbankleeds.org.uk