THE driving force behind Rayleigh’s Megacentre has spoken of his pride at being appointed an MBE in the New Year’s honour’s list.

Lawrence Cantle, 74, has been recognised for his outstanding service at the centre, which has been used by generations of families.

The Megacentre offers a dad and kids’ club, family support groups and special needs programmes.

The centre, on the Brook Road industrial estate, also has a laser and soft play centre and a sensory room.

Mr Cantle, chair of trustees, said: “I’m feeling a bit humbled. It was the last thing I expected. I’ve been involved in the centre since the very beginning. It’s a faith-based centre and that’s the motivation for it.

“I just want it to benefit the community.”

The idea for the centre, owned by charity, Active Christian Trust, came in 1992 and the first phase was opened two years later.

Mr Cantle added: “The thing that makes the difference is the fact that it is faith based and it’s not motivated by money.

“It’s just wanting to bless the community.”

During lockdown, the centre has been used as a community response hub for the Rochford district.

Looking to the future, Mr Cantle wants to see the centre grow, and is looking to start a mental health programme.

He said: “I’d like to see greater awareness of the centre and the work of the centre. It’s not about me it’s about what goes on at the centre and I’m a participant inclined to help that happen.

“We have other trustees who have also dedicated a lot of time and effort as well and a very, very good staff team who are very committed in trying to benefit the community in same way.

“We just want that to develop and grow.”

He added: “There are so many needs out there at the moment. We’ve been planning to start a mental health programme but then the lockdown came and we weren’t able to do it because our income stopped. But we will come back from this.

“We’re looking to the future and still very optimistic it can be used more and more.”

CEO Scott Williamson said: “It’s 27 years of hard work that’s made a massive impact on our community, especially with the year it’s been this year. It’s a nice way to finish it off in that sense.

“It’s great.”