?? A ?celebratory ? event has been held to mark the completion of improvement works at a village hall.

Cash from the Essex County Council Community Initiatives Fund totalling £6,065 has been spent bringing Toot Hill Village Hall up to scratch.

As well as fixing the dilapidated garage and installing new fencing along the entrance road, new decking was placed along the front of the hall.

The event, on Wednesday, also marked the official launch of the community defibrillator which has been funded by both the British Heart Foundation and the parish council.

Stanford Rivers Parish Council chairman John Glover said: "As time moves on, the meaning of the word 'community' is changing, with the younger generation opting for a more 'electronic' sense of community.

"However places such as local village halls or community centres, like Toot Hill Village Hall, continue to be places where local people are able to meet socially, or to perhaps take part in an activity or two.

"It is for this reason that the parish council is committed to doing what it can to support this vital community asset.

"This is the latest in a number of improvements carried out to the hall, such as the resurfaced car park area and external lighting."