VILLAGERS in Bere Ferrers are being spurred into action to raise funds for 'exciting' major improvements to their church hall.

The hall, which was originally the village school, is run by the church for the benefit of the community and is well-used.

But the Rev Nick Law, rector of Bere Ferrers, said the hall was limited and did not meet new legislation for public buildings. In particular, there was only an outside toilet and poor disabled access.

Mr Law said: 'We desperately need to update the facilities. The existing loos are antiquated and unacceptable — who wants to tramp over the lawn in the dark and rain!'

The hall management team and a consultative committee have drawn up plans which were unveiled at a recent open meeting in the village.

The project aims to improve disabled access, with an extension providing two indoor toilets to disabled standard, plus a multi-purpose annexe which can be used as a small meeting room. At present there is no small meeting room available in the village.

'The new room will also provide a more private and better location for the doctor's surgery, which is currently being held in the kitchen,' said Mr Law, who described the plans as 'exciting' and 'sympathetic to the existing building and area'.

'We are also looking to have a pre-school early-learning club in the hall, which at present wouldn't be possible because of the lack of indoor toilets,' he added.

The need for these facilities was mentioned in the Parish Appraisal and was raised at the first meeting of the Bere Ferrers Villagers Group in 1997.

The plans will make the hall suitable for greater use.

The total cost of the project is nearly £100,000 and Rosemary Bell, who was appointed fundraising co-ordinator for 2002, has appealed to villagers for help.

So far £10,800 has been raised, mainly from a legacy, and grant applications have been submitted to various agencies, including the Lottery.

It is hoped there will be at least one fun activity per month and suggestions are welcomed. It is also hoped to launch a 'buy-a-brick' scheme to boost funds.

Mr Law said they were looking forward to the completion of the project. 'It will be a long-term thing — but it will be done,' he said.

As well as weekly groups including the Women's Institute and yoga classes, Bere Ferrers village hall is also used once a week for the doctor's surgery.

Flower shows, jumble sales and coffee mornings are also held, totalling some fourteen different activities.