A £240,000 revamp of Cookhill Village Hall is now almost certain to go ahead after a bid for £100,000 was successful.

The grant, from the Community Buildings Trial Programme, makes up more than 40 per cent of the total project cost, which includes extending and refurbishing the hall to provide disabled access and improved facilities for all users.

A total of £171,000 is now in place, thanks to organisations such as the Eveson Charitable Trust, Wychavon Council and Cookhill Parish Council. The results of two more grant applications totalling £69,000.

Chairman Eileen Payne said: "Thanks to this grant, which makes up the main bulk of the money, we're now almost certain the project will go ahead.

"Only 20 projects in the West Midlands were successful in gaining the maximum £100,000 grant, so this is an achievement in itself."

The project is due to begin in April and when complete, new community and arts activities will be launched.

Meanwhile, fund-raising for the refurbishment continues apace.

The Cookhill Village Hall committee, which has helped raise £27,000 towards the project, is staging two summer fund-raising events - the Cookhill Garden Competition on July 26 and fete at the village hall on August 30, at 2pm.

Mrs Payne said she was appealing for more villagers to open their gardens to visitors as part of a tour starting at 2pm on July 27 and perhaps also have them judged the previous day.

She added donations for stalls at the fete and people to lend a hand were also needed. For details, call Mrs Payne on 892225.