A POPULAR community hall is set for a £50,000 revamp.

Lee Chapel South Community Hall, in Kipcaps, Basildon, will benefit from a number of improvements designed to make it more accessible for disabled people. The refurbishment, due to start this week, will see a disabled toilet added to the hall, along with new wheelchair access.

The reception area will also be renovated with a new floor, automatic doors and a new storage room.

Terri Sargent, Basildon councillor responsible for community services, said: "I hope the revamp will help more people to benefit from the hall and ensure its good work is sustained over the next decade."

The council is investing £42,000 in the work, with the balance coming from Essex County Council and the hall's own management committee.

Phil Turner, councillor responsible for resources, added: "This is one of the busiest and most successful community halls in the district. We are investing heavily in the hall, because it is making a big contribution to the community, and we want to see that continue."

Regular users include a pre-school, the Essex Deaf Association and a ladies' guild.

The hall is also used for dance classes, Brownies and Girl Guides group meetings and private functions.

Dee Hadden, chairman of Lee Chapel South Community Hall Committee, said she was overjoyed at the funding.

She said: "This is a huge boost for us and all the people using the hall.

"The disabled toilets are one facility which has been critically missing in the past.

"It's wonderful to get the funding we need to bring the hall up to date and I hope it will mean even more people can get some benefit from it."