A LARGE-scale refurbishment of Upton-upon-Severn's Church Rooms is set to start this summer after nearly £18,000 was awarded to fund it.

The Parochial Church Council of St Peter and St Paul was handed a Lottery grant of £17,961 to pay for a new, lower roof and a new heating system.

"We're like a dog with two tails," said Enid Loynes, who helped co-ordinate the bid with husband Bert and churchwarden David Forgan.

"We really are very, very grateful to the Community Fund for giving us this money."

She said the roof leaks, and the heating system, which was inherited from the Memorial Hall 20 years ago, does not work properly.

Planning permission for roof replacement was secured in January and work should start on the Old Street building, built by the Brotheridge family in 1938, at the beginning of school summer holidays.

At the moment the hall is used by pre-school and after-school playgroups, the Mothers' Union, the Association of Independent Women and Upton Youth Band.

Mrs Loynes said she had had a similar bid turned down 18 months ago when she applied as a private individual.