A SMALL but dedicated Newport group has worked tirelessly to raise funds and renovate a village hall for the benefit of the community.

Now Peterstone Village Hall committee is celebrating a £5,000 lottery cash boost to help them finish the work.

Like a number of organisations around Gwent, it has received an Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Peterstone Village Hall was originally built in 1917 and re-erected on its present site in 1925 - the only surviving corrugated village hall out of four in the Wentloog Levels.

Carole Newton, of the committee, said it had been in a poor state of repair for years.

By 2003, after raising funds, the group was able to re-clad three walls with insulation, install new windows and put in a disabled door access with ramp.

The committee continued to actively fundraise to complete refurbishment work so the hall could operate for the benefit of the wider community which has a lack of amenities.

Mrs Newton said the members wanted to promote social inclusion, particularly for older people.

She added they had also received £1,000 from the Welsh Church Acts Fund and this - together with the Big Lottery cash, donations of material from Euroclad and Corus along with local fundraising - meant the committee could complete the renovation work.

"A loop system has already been installed in the hall from money donated in memory of a long-standing resident of Peterstone and soon the committee will be able to provide a safe venue suitable for old and young people."

Other groups also received awards - Brynmawr Community First Responder Team (£5,000); Creative Minds, Blaenau Gwent (£2,540); Caerwent South Road Flying Club (£5,000); Cwmynyscoy Community Action Trust (£4,950); Pilgrim Luncheon Club, Torfaen (£4,438); Woodlands Field Ltd, Torfaen (£4,520).