A FRESH, new look has been given to a village community centre through local authority grants.

Abbots Morton Village Hall was looking a bit tired despite only being 17 years old. The village hall trustees made inquiries for financial help to put towards a spruce-up and received £1,000 from Wychavon District Council's new homes bonus scheme and £500 from County Councillor Clive Holt's divisional fund for community projects.

Trustees were able to give exterior walls a coat of paint and also allow improvements to access for people with walking difficulties. Paving slabs were relaid and levelled at the entrance to the hall.

Melanie Clarke, chair of the Abbots Morton Village Hall Committee said: "We're delighted to have had this help from the new homes bonus scheme and our county councillor. These improvements are part of a wider refurbishment programme that the village hall trustees are carrying out to what is a lovely hall and they'll help make it an attractive place for many years to come."

The Abbots Morton village hall committee have already upgraded exterior lighting and further projects, including the installation of new direction signs, are underway.