The refurbished and extended village hall in Chilthorne Domer was officially opened on Friday last week.

After four and a half years of hard work, project manager Mike Griffiths and everybody else involved had their reward when the £260,000 hall became fully operational.

The main issue four and a half years ago was whether to build a new hall or refurbish and extend the current one. It was decided to go for the latter option, and the parish council formally adopted objectives in August 1999 and sought planning permission shortly afterwards.

In April last year, the financial package was finally put in place, with major financial contributions coming from eight organisations.

Six contractors were approached, with three submitting tenders, all exceeding the target cost.

Stansell was chosen for the job and worked with the village hall committee and other companies involved to find acceptable specification changes that would bring the cost down to the desired level.

Work was completed in mid-March and the hall was officially opened last week.

* The major financial sponsors were listed as: National Lottery Charities Board, South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council, Wyvern Environmental Trust, Lloyd's TSB, Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust, Chilthorne Parish Council, Chilthorne School governors.