RESIDENTS have been sitting down to a meal together to raise money and restore their village hall.

One Beckley resident was asked to choose their favourite menu and then villagers bought tickets to the meal held at The Abingdon Arms last week.

It is the second time the High Street pub has hosted the Come Dine With Us evening, and so far more than £1,300 has been raised.

Head chef Mark Horton cooked a summer vegetable terrine for starters, a roast chicken with thyme mash with green beans for the main, and an orange creme brulee for pudding.

He said: “It is a brilliant idea. It is good fun and it brings the community back out together. Everyone has managed to meet each other in the village they haven’t seen for quite some time.”

He added: “It is challenging to cook within the budget but it was good fun.”

Landlord Bal Gill said: “It brings the village together and it is for a good cause.

“The hall is falling down and it needs a complete renovation.”