THE £250,000 refurbishment of Much Marcle Memorial Hall has moved a giant step closer following a £100,000 grant from the National Lottery.

The project has been three years in planning and the memorial hall management committee expects the work to start in the next 12 months.

Around £185,000 has been raised towards the target, with £21,500 coming from the fund-raising efforts and donations of local residents and £15,000 from a surplus on the hall management committee funds.

The project has also received funding from Herefordshire Council (£25,000), Welcome to our Future (£10,000), Ledbury and Area Regeneration Partnership (£10,000), and Much Marcle Parish Council (£3,500).

Much Marcle memorial hall management committee chairman Bob Dallow said: "The award of the Lottery grant is thrilling news. This is just the boost we need to raise the balance of funds required to get the project underway."

The scheme will see the hall remodelled to provide a new meeting room and toilets, a new entrance, installation of a proper heating system and insulation, a new kitchen and a stage.

Once completed, it is hoped the hall will accommodate a youth club, become a social centre for older residents, host recreational and leisure classes and community arts events.

Further fund-raising activities, include the Marcle Amateur Dramatic Society pantomime 'Dick Whittington' from January 8 to January 10, an auction of promises at Ledbury Rugby Club on January 31 and Eric Bottomley's sponsored scaling of Mount Kilimanjaro in February.