A VILLAGE hall extension will be unveiled this weekend by Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster.
The new facilities at Whorlton, near Barnard Castle, include an enlarged main hall with a stage, enabling a much wider range of community activities, as well as a new kitchen and lavatories.
The project was the idea of Keith Stoddart, former chairman of the village community association and landlord of the Bridge Inn.
Present community association chairman John Bartlett has gathered more than £60,000 in funding from sources including the Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, the Countryside Agency, Durham County Council and Lloyds TSB. Villagers have also been fundraising.
A full day of events has been arranged for the opening on Saturday.
Mr Bartlett said: "We are very proud of our achievement and look forward to the reinvigoration of community life in our village and the surrounding area.
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