A scout group is celebrating after the future of community groups in Aylsham was secured with the purchase of a popular meeting place.

Aylsham Town Council has completed the sale of the Drill Hall from Norfolk County Council for £185,000 after the local authority confirmed it no longer wanted the Cawston Road building.

The hall is used by many groups including the 1st Aylsham Scout Group, whose cub scout leader/group administrator, Sarah Shelby said: 'Our younger sections, beavers, aged six to eight, and cubs, aged eight to 10, meet at the hall, enjoying the space it provides and its nearness to the town centre.

'We are a large group running at capacity in our sections. Losing the hall would have meant the possible loss of our younger sections. With so many groups in Aylsham there aren't alternative venues, especially not as big as this one.'