ALMOST £80,000 has been raised to fix the roof of a building at the centre of village life.

West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) has provided the final cash injection needed to fund repairs at the Ramsden Memorial Hall.

WODC has provided £15,000 through its Parish Council Loan Policy so the £77,150 target to repair the roof, as well as improving heating, insulation, acoustics and seating, can be met.

Councillor Toby Morris, cabinet member for resources, said: “This scheme was set up specifically for projects such as this and we are delighted to be able to help it become a reality.

See also: Here are the top 10 most viewed properties in Oxfordshire

“Buildings like Ramsden Memorial Hall are at the heart of their community and play an essential part in village life.”

Ramsden Parish Council clerk Jon Gammage said: “This is the final stage in what has been an amazing local effort to raise funds and scope out the project to keep this much loved centre of the village community open for another 100 years.

“We hope that work can commence soon, subject to the current government restrictions.”

A recent village survey revealed that the hall is used by 89 per cent of parishioners for activities including weddings and parties, sports such as table tennis, and coffee mornings.

It is hoped that films can be shown with improved acoustics.