HALE Village Hall is to be rebuilt thanks to a grant of almost half a million pounds from Big Lottery Fund.

The project will involve demolishing the existing hall on High Street and creating a new one on the same site.

The new building will include a reception, main hall, smaller hall, community meeting room and office space, toilets and increased storage space.

Hale ward councillor and deputy leader of Halton Council, Cllr Mike Wharton, said: “The funding is excellent news for Hale Village.

“The current village hall is in poor condition but it is the focal point for the various groups that exist in the village and a popular venue for meetings and recreational activities for residents.

“It has been a long time since work started on the bid, but at last villagers will be able to enjoy a modern purpose-built hall that will make use of all the latest energy-efficient technologies.”

The current prefabricated building opened in 1974 and was only expected to last for 29 years.

Halton Council’s external funding team worked with Hale parish council to secure £499,710 from the Big Lottery’s reaching communities building fund.

More than 60 per cent of villagers responded to consultation and asked for new healthcare services, advice sessions and internet suites.

The total project will cost £655,000.

Cllr Wharton added: There is still some way to go in securing all the funding required but I am extremely optimistic that this will be achieved.

“We have made sure that the right professionals have been engaged to help formulate the bid.

“I am looking forward to seeing work commence next year and I am confident that a new village hall will be a great asset to Hale.”

Alison Jones, chairman of Hale Parish Council, said: “The aim of the project is to provide the community with a village hall which is fit for purpose, energy efficient and serves the needs of an isolated and rural community.

“The new facility will enable users to participate in social and health related events and services.”