JERK chicken and Jamaican patties are on the way to a church where plans to open a Caribbean cafe are well in motion.

Two local women are aiming to cook up a storm at the Church of the Holy Family in Blackbird Leys Road, with the new cafe set to open as early as April.

The idea sprang from a stall at last September’s Leys Festival, where the church invited visitors to illustrate a map showing what they wanted from the estate.

The Rev Heather Carter, who joined as vicar in 2012, said: “Most people said they wanted a cafe. There used to be one in the church hall years ago.

“The cook is Caribbean and the lunch menu is, but there will be snacks and paninis as well; things that aren’t necessarily being provided around here.

“If mums are dropping off kids at 9am and want somewhere to go, they can come and have a cup of tea and toast as they chat with a friend.

“When the college kids come for their break at 10.15am they sit on our church steps with their chip boxes, but some might actually want something different.”

It is hoped the new cafe, which will be open from 9am to 2.30pm from Monday to Friday, will be up and running by the end of the Easter holidays.

The church was refused a grant from Blackbird Leys Parish Council on the grounds it could harm other businesses but funds could also be available from The Alice Smith Trust, which provides assistance to the poor in Cowley, Iffley, Blackbird Leys and Littlemore, of which Rev Carter is a trustee.

She added: “For people to come and sit somewhere and read the papers and chat with people, or play games, would make the church so much more of a community.”

Balfour Road resident Sylvia Palmer, 59, who already cooks at events for the Caribbean community, will be helping out between shifts at mental health charity Response with the help of local woman Gloria Phillips.

Last year Mrs Palmer hosted a dinner dance which raised £1,000 for the Church of the Holy Family and has also cooked at events for Sobell House Hospice.

She said: “It’s going to be part English food with toast in the morning, but we will also be doing jerk chicken wraps, rice, curries and Jamaican patties.

“We want somewhere for the community to get together and I’m also hoping that the Caribbean community will come out and have lunch.

“I’m nervous but very much looking forward to it.”