A VILLAGE'S fundraising campaign has started on a high note after performers raised £400 with an opera night.

The evening kick-started Heighington Village Hall Association's bid to improve facilities.

Local performers soprano Paulina Rossi and mezzo contralto Janet Walke entertained the audience with arias and duets drawn from grand opera and shows at a concert held in the village hall.

The evening started with a buffet supper and members of Heighington PB Scouts helped to set up and clear the show.

Jacqueline Mutton, chairwoman of the village hall association, said: "The village hall is very well used, nearly to capacity, and the association is striving to improve and extend facilities to keep the village hall as an attractive venue and community facility.

"We are especially pleased to host a performance by two singers of such a highly professional standard. This is the first in a series of events that is not only designed to raise funds for the village hall, but also provide the community with a wide range of events and activities to suit everybody."

Heighington was recently called Britain's perfect village by a BBC television programme.