A village hall will be able to be brought into the 21st century after a £20,000 financial boost.

The insulation and heating of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Ruin Road, Worstead, will be given an overhaul with the money.

John Bacon, company Secretary for Worstead Festival, said: 'We hope to make the hall more viable. The fuel costs have increased over the past few years.

'The hall wasn't built very efficiently - insulation wasn't a primary requirement. We are trying to move it into the 21st century and make it a sustainable community asset. It is the only community asset in the village and is used by lots of people.'

A grant of £10,000 was awarded by the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund, which was match funded by Worstead Festival.

The festival committee awarded £24,000 - the amount raised by this last year's summer event - to different groups in the village.

Solar panels will be put on the roof of the hall and new double glazing will be put in.

The hall was built in 1985, with funds provided by the Worstead festival. It was opened by the late Queen Mother.

It currently costs around £3,000 a year to run. That amount has risen by about 30pc over the past three years.

The building is regularly used by the Worstead Wolves Football Club, the parent and toddlers group, badminton club, Worstead choir, Worstead school, fitness groups and many other occasional users.

'It is used by different groups from all walks of life,' Mr Bacon said.

Many of the organisations supported by the Worstead Festival, as well as festival itself, use the hall. It is hoped the work will be finished by April this year and the solar panels will generate cash.