THE church hall at Woolton Hill is set for a dramatic makeover after Hampshire County Council pledged tens of thousands of pounds towards extending and refurbishing the facility.

Woolton Hill Parochial Church Council has been awarded £80,000 by the local authority for the works.

The money will be used to help build a new entrance lobby and two meeting rooms. It will also go towards creating new toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet and children’s toilet.

The extension will provide safer operating space for the pre-school, and will enable the hall to be used by other groups while the pre-school is open.

The money was awarded by Councillor Keith Chapman, executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, from the community buildings and capital fund.

The one-off fund was set up a year ago to maintain the quality of Hampshire’s village halls and community association buildings.

Cllr Chapman said: “The Parochial Church Council plans to upgrade the hall to increase capacity and provide modern facilities, including for disabled users.

“A safer environment will be created for the young children using the site, and an upgrade would reduce heating and lighting costs.”