COUNCILLORS gathered in Chorleywood on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the unveiling of a new roof at the War Memorial Hall.

After the old roof, which was built in the 1970s, sprang a leak last year, work on the £25,000 replacement project began in October - aided by a £10,000 grant from Three Rivers District Council.

Parish council clerk Yvonne Merritt, pictured here with her council chairman Rodney Kipps and Three Rivers District councillor Martin Trevett, said: "It's been a long time coming as the old roof was leaking quite badly. Water was actually coming through into the dressing rooms so something needed to be done.

"It was a very expensive project so we were really pleased that Three Rivers District Council agreed to fund us in this way.

"Unfortunately it has taken us longer to finish than we had hoped because it rained so much at the end of last year, but it's great to have it up and running at last."

The hall, situated on the southwest side of the common, was built by donations from local people and public subscriptions to commemorate the fallen of the Great War.

Opened in 1922, it hosts a range of activities, including play groups, dance classes, antique fairs, bowls, badminton and parties.

Chairman of Chorleywood Parish Council, councillor Rodney Kipps, said: "It's great that the memorial hall is water tight again, serving the whole spectrum of the Chorleywood community, from pensioners to toddlers.

"We have worked with Three Rivers District Council on the improvements and the extra insulation in the new roof means we will save approximately ten per cent on the heating bill, helping to reduce C02 emissions."

Three Rivers cabinet member for the environment, councillor Martin Trevett, added: "Village halls are at the heart of the community and we share the parish council's commitment to providing space for all kinds of leisure activities. Modern materials also mean that we are making the building greener too."