A musician, a church and an arts charity have teamed up to launch a £15,000 crowdfunding campaign for a community fair trade cafe.

The Lantern Centre Partnership needs £15,000 to transform the Raynes Park Methodist Church coffee shop into a "contemporary, but distinctive local tea and coffee shop" selling "affordable and ethical high quality products".

The project is spearheaded by members of the popular Lantern Arts Centre - which hosts workshops and concerts and recently ran a show of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Fearing the church was at risk from development in future years, musician and businessman Steve Rees came up with the idea to launch a buzzing cafe to support the running of the building.

Christian groups Doxa Deo London and Share Jesus International, who also operate from the church, soon signed up and the partnership was formed.

Mr Rees, 44, of Mount Pleasant, Ewell Village, who is a trustee of the Lantern Arts Centre, said: "I think it will have a huge impact on the area - not just in terms of the facility for people - but also for finding out what's going on in this building."

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The church has become a hub of creativity as well as Christianity since the arts centre set up there - with summer events including an art exhibition and a performance of Dick Whittington.

To secure its future, the partnership is appealing for people to donate money to create a 30-seater Wifi cafe serving top-quality tea, coffee, cakes and paninis.

Mr Rees, who is dedicating the next three months voluntarily to getting the project off the ground, said: "I think people should put their money into it because I think creating something which is new, it's a different take on how a coffee shop is used.

"It's not just about people coming and using the shop for coffee and working. There will be that, but it will be part of a bigger vision.

"It will be fairtrade and different from other shops in the town."

People have until Wednesday, August 26 to donate to the project.

The team is hoping to open the cafe in October.

Donate to the crowdfunding appeal here

Or call the Lantern Arts Centre on 020 3761 7070, between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.