PEOPLETON WI celebrate the completion of a new village hall extension this weekend with a craft exhibition.

The exhibition, which also signals the start of the Peopleton Festival, showcases the many talents, crafts and hobbies that abound in the village and surrounding areas.

Among the creative interests represented by the displays will be woodwork, needlework, cake decoration and paintings. None of which will be for sale.

Kim Maric, Peopleton WI's outing secretary, said: "We will be promoting the work of WI members as well as the work of people in the area who aren't in the institute."

The new village hall extension has cost more than £200,000 and the floor area has been increased by about 40%, meaning that there is more space for an extra meeting room and changing rooms. It is also hoped that indoor sports such as badminton can be introduced.

Funding for the building came from a variety of sources. The National Lottery awarded a grant of £166,742, Wychavon District Council gave a grant of £20,000 and £6,000 was put forward by the Peopleton Village Trust.

The Peopleton Players, a local drama group, provided money for curtains on the stage of the new hall. The money was raised from productions and a grant of £4,500 received from Awards For All - a National Lottery scheme.

Mrs Maric said: "Over the years we have had dog shows and gymkhanas and all different sorts of events from which money has accumulated.

"The hall looks absolutely superb and is a credit to the people of the village. This is an opportunity for people to come and have a look around, see the exhibition, and sample some of the delicious teas and cakes on offer."

The exhibition begins at 2pm on Saturday.