A COMMUNITY hall is celebrating new equipment aimed at elderly and disabled visitors.

At the end of an annual general meeting held by Whitecroft Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground trustees, both a new disabled toilet and defibrillator were declared open.

Parish Cllr Andy Moore was invited to cut the ribbon for a new disabled toilet, which was funded by West Dean Parish Council. It was designed with dementia sufferers in mind, as well as catering for both disabled and elderly visitors.

The defibrillator was declared active shortly afterwards by Bryan Hennessey of ‘Knick Knacks’ Collectables and Julian Wilkins of Clearway Conservatories. These two businessmen, along with other local businesses and people in the village, helped to raise over £800 of the £1750 needed for the equipment.

The trustees hope to organise some training sessions for local residents on the usage of the machine in the near future.