VILLAGERS in Derry Hill are preparing to celebrate the opening of their new community hall after raising £300,000 over the past five years.

Chris McCormack, 42, of the village hall committee, hopes the new, purpose-built hall will encourage residents of Derry Hill, Studley and Sandy Lane to set up new clubs and organisations now they have somewhere to go.

"Over the last five years local village people have got together to really make this happen in terms of fundraising," he said."For a village facility it really is fantastic."

The Lansdowne Hall has been paid for through fundraising, donations from local business and various grants.

The villagers have contributed thousands of pounds through fundraising events.

The most recent, offering people the chance to sponsor a leg of a table or chair in the hall, raised £1,500 in two weeks with donations ranging from 10p to £100.

There will be a day of celebrations next Saturday where Lord Lansdowne, the owner of Bowood Estate, who donated the two-acre site behind Christ Church and Derry Hill School, will open the hall.

"Everything has come from the local community and this day of celebrations will be a thank you to everyone who has been involved as well as an opportunity for local people to see what the hall can offer them," said Mr McCormack.

"We are encouraging people to set up clubs based at the hall, everything from playgroups to investment clubs and ballet to badminton.

"Bookings are coming in already and we very much hope it will be used by people from the three villages."

The facility includes a main hall, meeting room, kitchen and bar and an office.

The committee's next project is to apply for funding from Sport England to install a multi-use games area.

And Lackham College students will be incorporating the landscaping of the grounds into their lectures as a live project.

Mr McCormack added: "From the outset this has been a real community effort, bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together to provide something for the benefit of everyone."

Next Saturday's event, which starts at 7.30pm, will feature performances from three local bands, a ceilidh band, indie group Stellar and Derry Hill Rhythm and Blues Band.

The R and B band was formed especially for the opening event and is seeking extra backing singers and musicians. Anyone interested should contact Mr McCormack on (01249) 819188.

Tickets for the opening cost £2.50, which is redeemable at the bar, and are available to residents of the three villages only.

For further information and tickets contact Tina Bradley on (01249) 822199.