THE NEW-LOOK market hall in Cleobury Mortimer will re-open at the end of the month after lying empty for eight years.

The re-launch comes as news of a major cash grant for the village is also confirmed.

The hall will welcome residents back through its doors for the first time since 1995 as the £300,000, four-year project to bring it up to scratch draws to a close.

Built in 1842, it will soon boast a tourist information centre, a chiropody clinic and an office to be occupied by a firm of solicitors.

And the scheme was handled so well the Government has decided to grant the parish council £500,000 to spend on making Cleobury Mortimer a better place to live. parish councillors Jim Reynolds and Roger Skelhorn outside the refurbished market hall.

Parish councillor Adrian Pearce said the village was "making the progress its people deserve."

He said: "The re-opening of the market hall will bring back an essential service that has been gone for a long time.

"The grant comes from Advantage West Midlands who had carried out an audit that looked at the way this restoration was handled.

"The money will allow us to look at a regeneration project which will build a strong basis for the future of the town."

Work to bring the market hall on High Street up to modern standards has seen an extension built onto land owned by St Mary's Church -a move that saw the land de-consecrated by the Queen - major demolition work and the installation of facilities for the disabled.

Mr Pearce said: "Such a splendid building open again on the High Street is a positive sign of the community spirit that is so strong in Cleobury Mortimer."

The grant from Advantage West Midlands was confirmed last month and will be discussed at the next meeting of the parish council on Wednesday, May 7.