from a school auditorium to a purpose-built facility.

The World Wide Church of God was granted approval in principle yesterday by the Development Applications Board to build a 200-seat church at Watlington Road East in Devonshire.

Pastor Cecil Pulley told The Royal Gazette that the church planned to purchase the property now that it knew it could build the facility on the site.

He said work on the church -- which would also be used to stage events -- and a parking area for 20 cars and cycles would go ahead next year.

CAR FIRM TO MOVE PLN Car firm to move A car showroom and service garage will merge under one roof after planning permission was granted to a car firm yesterday.

Stirling Co. operates Continental Motors Ltd. which holds the Island's Peugeot franchise.

Continental Motors Ltd. managing director Jeff Stirling confirmed yesterday that the showroom and garage will be moving to Brunswick Street.

The company now has its service garage on Hermitage Road, Devonshire, and its showroom on North Shore Road in Pembroke.

It is understood the service garage will be located in the basement of the building, while the spare parts division and showroom will be located on the mezzanine level and the floor above.

MAN JAILED FOR DRUGS CTS Man jailed for drugs The father of a 19-month-old girl was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Balil Furqan, 27, of Clarke's Lane, Pembroke, admitted in Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to possessing approximately three grams of the drug on July 22.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court that around 5 a.m., Police officers searched Furqan at Hamilton Police Station and found five envelopes containing plant material.

The plant material was found to be 3.08 grams of cannabis with a street value of $125.

Duty counsel Juan Wolffe asked Magistrate Edward King to consider Furqan's guilty plea, previously clean record, and apology to the court.

Mr. Wolffe added that Furqan worked day and night to support his daughter.

But Mr. King showed no leniency. "You should be treated the same as those caught in Operation Cleansweep,'' he said.

PEDAL CYCLES FOUND CRM Pedal cycles found Police have discovered three children's pedal cycles near Mangrove Bay in Sandys.

Youngsters who have had their pedal cycles stolen or removed are asked to contact the Somerset Police Station at 234-1010 or visit it with their parents.

LIQUOR BOTTLES STOLEN CRM Liquor bottles stolen A thirsty thief made off with five bottles of liquor from a Devonshire dwelling on Wednesday.

A Kilderry Drive resident said he returned home at 6.30 p.m. and found someone had gained entry to his home and removed the liquor from the kitchen.

WOMAN'S BAG STOLEN CRM Woman's bag stolen A female auxiliary cycle rider on North Shore Road in Hamilton Parish became the latest victim of a handbag snatch on Tuesday.

The woman told Police that she was east of Jennings Road just after 3.30 p.m.

when a man overtook her on a dark-coloured cycle and snatched her bag out of her bike basket.