WORK is underway on a project to modernise Cotebrook Village Hall.

The plans to provide new toilet facilities and an extra meeting room were given a huge boost, to the tune of £61,720 in grant funding from not-for-profit group WREN.

The company's FCC Community Action Fund will help provide new toilet facilities including a wheelchair-accessible cubicle, along with a new kitchen, meeting room and more appealing frontage.

Billy Holroyd CBE,DL and his wife Julie took part in a foundation stone ceremony on May 15 in glorious sunshine, joined by committee members, the community, hall users and preschool children.

Judith Walters, chairman of the management committee, said: "It is great to see our vision for this vital community facility moving closer to reality.

"We are extremely grateful for the funding WREN has given us and we are looking forward to opening to the public."

Richard Smith, WREN’s grant manager for Cheshire, said: “It’s always nice to see something we have funded start to take shape. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project and look forward to it benefitting community groups in Cotebrook and the surrounding area.”

In addition to a grant from the funding agency WREN, the management committee are extremely grateful for the very generous donations made from Sir John Timpson CBE, The Holroyd Foundation , Phil Redmond CBE and his wife Alexis MBE, and the Leverhulme Foundation.