Villagers are looking forward to making use of their refurbished community hall, following a £30,000 facelift.

Householders in East and West Hanney, near Wantage, gathered in the War Memorial Hall on April 23, for its official re-opening following months of improvement work.

The project, which was funded by the National Lottery Charities Board and the Vale of White Horse District Council, saw improvements to the main hall, kitchen and toilets.

New carpets and curtains have been fitted and the hall has been re-painted.

The building was also made more accessible to disabled people, and baby-changing facilities were incorporated, making it more attractive to parents.

It is already used for activities such as badminton and amateur dramatics, but the hall's management committee also plans to market the building as a venue for wedding parties and other social functions.

Committee chairman Catherine Chater said: "The hall was already regularly used, but we wanted to make it more user-friendly.

"The disabled facilities weren't up to scratch and the toilets weren't terribly attractive. It now looks very good.

"Lots of people and community groups use the hall but our main aim was to make it easier to use by mothers with young children and the disabled. We are very pleased and people appreciate it."