A SUFFOLK village has celebrated the official opening of its new �460,000 award-winning new hall.

Colin Adwent

A SUFFOLK village has celebrated the official opening of its new �460,000 award-winning new hall.

The building at Hacheston, near Woodbridge, is proving to be the hub of the community with belly dancing, line dancing, a parent and toddler group, and break dancing for teenagers already under way.

The hall, which was opened by Lord Marlesford, was designed by Mixbrow's in Needham Market and has won a Suffolk Association of Architects award.

Geoff Woodard, chairman of the new hall steering group, said: “It's extremely important to this village. It's the only public building besides the church and it's also extremely important for the wider community.

“It's not only a great building, it is on a seven acre field with playing equipment and a playing field. People come here from Felixstowe, Saxmundham and Kesgrave. It's a fantastic facility.”

Sixty people turned out to celebrate the official opening on Saturday .

The hall was funded with �200,000 each from the National Lottery's community buildings fund and the sale of the old village hall land.

More than �20,000 was raised by residents, including �9,000 donated by 35% of the households in the village after an appeal letter was sent out.

Grants were also given by Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, the Suffolk Environmental Trust and the parish council.