It has taken 25 years and plenty of sweat and tears.But the people of Necton were finally able to celebrate the unveiling of their extended and improved £100,000 village hall on Saturday, proving the never-say-die community spirit is alive and well.

It has taken 25 years and plenty of sweat and tears.

But the people of Necton were finally able to celebrate the unveiling of their extended and improved £100,000 village hall on Saturday, proving the never-say-die community spirit is alive and well.

Dozens of local people were on hand to see Madge Edwards, 94, who is a regular user of the hall for bingo, Friendship Club and the Silverthread Club, cut the ribbon to mark the official opening.

“I think it's wonderful and people have worked so hard,” said Mrs Edwards. “It gives me great pleasure after so many years to cut this tape.”

Local vicar the Rev Stephen Thorpe neatly summed one key word which has underpinned the effort to finally get the work done - patience.

“If patience is a virtue then you must have it in buckets and spades in this village,” he told local people at the opening.

“There have been disappointments along the way but you have succeeded.”

The original village hall building was put up in 1962 and cost £4000 took the village five years to pay off the debt.

It has taken about 25 years to get the funding and carry out the work to create the new extension and improve facilities for the hall, which is used by groups from yoga to mums and tots to bowls.

A new committee - chaired by Trevor Meen - was formed about three years ago and that has ensured the long-awaited dream has finally come true.

“Everyone has turned out a winner,” said Mr Meen, as he praised the team effort of the committee members.

He said the work would carry on to upgrade the children's play area and made other improvements.

“What we have done and what we have achieved is not the end. It is the beginning for the future. Do not put the tools down!”

Mr Meen said they really want more young people on board to help take the hall forward for the future.

Deputy lieutenant of Norfolk Veronica Lane - who was representing Lord Lieutenant Richard Jewson - said: “It is fantastic - really wonderful. It has been a hard, difficult and often disappointing few years. But you are now a lucky village and it is a very fine effort to get everyone working together.”

*Anyone wanting to get involved with the hall can contact Mr Meen on 07836 692306 or Bernard Bell on 01760 441228.