BUILDING work on the new Millennium Hall, in Preston, started with a sod-cutting ceremony with local councillors.

Project backers Commission for the New Towns (CNT) recently awarded the contract to build the hall, in Longsands Lane, to Fearnley Construction.

As a registered charity, the Longsands Residents Committee will receive the hall this summer. It will contain a main function room, smaller meeting room, kitchen and office.

The residents committee has worked for several years to raise funds to cover the initial running costs of the hall.

CNT's Dick Dingsdale said: "We are pleased to be providing this facility adjacent to the Village Green and we would like to record our appreciation of the committee for their hard work to date."

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