Charles hails hall restoration.

THE Prince of Wales congratulated a community for restoring their village hall in a pounds 700,000 project.

Charles described the hall in the village of Mey, Caithness, as "marvellous" after unveiling a plaque to officially open it.

Residents spent more than a decade trying to raise funds to restore the hall.

Following the official opening, there will be a musical perform-anctomorrow from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

The hall has an entirely refitted interior, including a large sports and entertainment space with a permanent stage, a kitchen, bar, small hall and a meeting room.

It was largely constructed with locally sourced British timber and is heated by a ground source heat pump.

Charles has a close interest in the far north of Scotland, having launched the North Highland Initiative (NHI) in August 2005 to promote and develop the economy and support rural communities.

He said: "I want to congratulate all those who played such an important part in ensuring this marvellous building has finally been brought back to life after 14 years of struggling and frustration."

CAPTION(S):

APPROVAL: Prince Charles on the refit