Young people living in a village in east Suffolk are being asked what they would like included in a new £1.2million community hall.

Wickham Market Town Team has appointed a volunteer to visit schools, youth clubs and groups of youngsters congregating around bus stops in the village in an attempt to involve the younger generation in the plans.

The group held an exhibition in November when its plans to replace or refurbish the dilapidated old village hall were put on show and opened up for public debate.

While feedback was said to be overwhelmingly supportive for the new facility, it was also suggested that the young people had been overlooked and their views should be sought before any final decision was made.

Tony Ellam, who raised the suggestion, has so far spoken with about 70 young people, aged 10-25 in the village. “The response has been really positive and they have come up with some good ideas about what the village hall should be like,” he said.

“They re looking for somewhere safe, warm and dry where they would be able to carry out the activities they want to do.”

Town Team chairman Colin Owens said the feedback could lead to the creation of a “youth wing” in the new village hall. Other facilities the community has called on to be included are a 200 capacity function room, and several smaller rooms to host concurrent events. Fundraising, grants and further planning will be required before work starts.