It took years of fundraising and hard work, but Brinkworth finally has its renovated village hall.

The £100,000 project was launched in 2004, with the main aim of improving the building to comply with disability legislation.

However, the hall committee have also made other improvements.

Disabled toilets have been installed, along with ramped access to the hall.

The kitchen has been doubled in size and been completely refitted, while new, indoor storage rooms have been put in.

An outdoors patio area has been created for adults to sit out, or for children to play in.

Wootton Bassett firm Wildman Construction started renovating the hall in April.

On Saturday, Fliss Scott, widow of former hall chairman Malcolm Scott, cut the ribbon to open the improved building.

Outgoing committee chairman Kate Minter is delighted with the result of all the hard work.

"It is hugely satisfying to have brought the whole project together," she said.

"We just want to thank all of the people who have contributed and the villagers for their work and support. There has been a real sense of pulling together on it and it has created a real sense of community spirit for the project."

Mrs Minter said the village play group would benefit substantially from the improvements.

Previously, it had to store all its equipment in an old, outdoor shed, which was sometimes vandalised.

Mrs Minter said: "It can all be kept inside now, where it is nice, safe and warm for them.

"It also makes it much more pleasant for the parents and staff setting up the play group in the morning.

"It should help ensure the long-term viability of the playgroup and other children's groups that use the hall.

"Hopefully, as we have better facilities, more groups will start to use it. The hall is right in the centre of the village, which is very spread out, and it is a focal point."

Among the donors were the parish council, village heritage society and recreation group, villagers, Awards For All, Community First, Samuel Williams Farmers Trust, Community Foundation, Garfield Weston and Lloyds TSB.