A ‘VITAL’ 11-month building project at a rural village hall has finally been completed.

Work at Dunsop Bridge Village Hall began in January when the kitchen was refitted and ended last week after the ramp for the new disabled toilets was installed.

The hall has had windows, doors, toilets and improved roof insulation fitted in the 40-year-old building.

The hall received grants from the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Ribble ValleyCouncil, the Lancashire Environmental Fund and Lancashire County Council.

A total of £15,000 came from the Lancashire Environmental Fund and £5,000 from the AONB.

Sheila Paton, secretary of the hall, said: “This work has been vital for the survival of the hall.

“I think all of the regular groups who use this hall will approve of the changes and they will make a huge difference to the running of the hall.

“Our bills will go down because of the improved insulation and that will make the survival of the hall much easier.

“I would like to thank all of the groups and organisations who helped us through this project.

“The grants made this work possible and the advice from Rural Futures at the start was invaluable.

“Now everybody can look forward to enjoying this vital community space in the new year.”

The hall committee will be hosting a drop-in session on Sunday, December 15, to allow the public to see all of the improvements that have been made over the year.

It will be held from 2pm to 4pm and will include refreshments.