LECHLADE Memorial Hall was reopened by a nationally acclaimed comedian, in front of a packed audience.

Comedian, impressionist and political satirist Rory Bremner was applauded by hundreds of people who had gathered to watch him cut the ribbon in the Cotswold town’s new hall on Sunday.

The re-opening wouldn't of happened without the support of private grants, of which £6,000 was donated through the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. Its publisher, Newsquest Media, was provided with the money by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of its owner Gannett.

After the much-anticipated reopening of the community venue, the town celebrated with a hog roast, fairground rides and music.

Speaking at the event, Lechlade mayor, Steve Trotter said: "When I was sworn in back in 2013, I was told nothing much happens in Lechlade.

"The destruction of the old hall has brought the community together.

"Despite the delays, the hall has been officially opened on the day we planned and within the initial budget from 18 months ago."

"It's important now that you use this facility as your hall."

The hall was reopened almost two years to the day, after arsonists burned the old building to the ground.

Lechlade residents awoke to the sound of sirens when the community building was set alight in the middle of the night in May 2016.

Despite the best efforts of six crews who battled the blaze from night until dawn, the hall could not be saved.

It was believed that a wheelie bin was set alight close to the building, which set the hall’s roof ablaze and caused it to collapse.

And on Sunday, May 20, the residents of Lechlade once again have their hall back.

The new hall features a stage with a green room, two upstairs meeting rooms which together can host up to 70 people, a larger kitchen and bar and a badminton court which can be used for indoor tennis or mat bowls.

£1,500,000 of funding was needed to rebuild the hall.

Funding for the hall has come from a variety of sources including a £650,000 public works loan, £150,000 from fundraising events, £50,000 from private grants and a £55,000 town council grant.