WORK is set to start on building a new £500,000 state-of-the-art village hall.

Peldon Village Hall Management Committee have appointed Stroods Specialist Contractors, of West Mersea, as the lead contractor for the eight-month project.

Bob Holmes, committee treasurer, said: “After an extensive tendering process, Stroods emerged as the clear winners with a proposal that met our budget expectations.

“We’re delighted that, after several years spent working on the project, we’ve reached the stage when the building work is about to start and that we’ve been able to appoint a local firm with a good reputation for efficient delivery and strong connections to our village.”

Lee Tyler, a director of Stroods, added: “We’re very pleased to have been selected to carry out this project to replace a critical community asset with an exciting new building that will be of great benefit to the residents of Peldon and the surrounding area for many years to come.

“We’re looking forward to working with the management committee in the coming months.”

Work is set to begin next month and is due to completed next summer.

Funding has been secured after a number of applications were approved, including by Essex County Council’s Community Initiative Fund, the Abberton Reservoir Community Fund and Colchester Council’s Big Choice Fund.

Outstanding cash will come from six years’ worth of fundraising by the committee, including its popular Buy-a-Brick appeal, which is still open, and from pledges from residents to lend any outstanding funds which could be needed by investing in village hall bonds.

A closing farewell party will take place on October 30 between 5pm and 9pm. Tickets cost £8. To book, contact Bob Holmes on 01206 735510 or bobhomes7@btopenworld.com.

The entertainment will be provided by the Crissy Lee All Stars featuring Paul Wood, who is the singer with the Glen Miller Orchestra and has a repertoire including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davies Jr and Michael Buble among many others. As well as a licensed bar there will be teas, coffees, snacks and cakes for sale.